News

Leach scores 1st Top Dog win;
Prillaman wraps up series title

HAMPTON, Va. (Mar. 29) -- Aaron Leach, the 2007-08 Rookie of the Year, muscled into the lead on lap 37 and drove on to his first Top Dog victory as Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series wrapped up its season with NAPA Auto Care "Championship Night" on Saturday evening at the Hampton Coliseum.

B Main winner Tony Perez drew the pole for the start of the 50-lap main event, sharing the front row with Spencer Saunders. As was the case in several instances on Saturday night, though, the high line proved to be the hot ticket as Saunders edged ahead on lap 1, clearing Perez on the second circuit.

The first eight laps were interrupted by four caution flags as the field struggled to sort itself out. The fourth yellow flag flew when Charlie Green spun in Turn 2. Almost simultaneously, second-place Perez overturned in the fourth corner. Green dropped to the rear of the pack for the restart, while Perez headed to the infield for the night.

Perez's premature exit from the festivities handed second place to Leach. Josh Turner, a visitor from the Charlotte, N.C., series lined up third, followed by Derek Miller and Robbie Davis.

Back under green, Miller went after Turner for third, taking the spot on lap 10 and leaving an opening for Davis. On lap 12, Turner drifted wide off Turn 4, smacked the outside wall and fell off the pace, eventually making his way to the sidelines.

Caution #5 appeared on lap 25 when Miller spun in Turn 4. As the field slowed, Davis also got turned around on the backstretch. Those two drivers were joined by Travis Fortune at the rear of the field for the restart.

Leach followed in Saunders' tire tracks until lap 37 when he rooted the leader aside in the middle of Turns 1 and 2, causing a stack-up of front-runners off the second corner. Green ended up spinning out of the pack to bring out the sixth, and final, caution flag.

Leach came away from the melee in first place with Scott Prillaman in second. Saunders headed to the infield with mechanical issues, his night over. Kerry Gilbert, who was running third, was also sidelined.

On the last restart, Leach manufactured a slim edge over Prillaman and won by a car-length. Prillaman, who clinched the 2007-08 championship earlier in the evening, was second to the line, followed by Larry Murphy. Miller and Davis completed the top five.

Stephen Kirby and Green were sixth and seventh, respectively, the final drivers to finish the entire distance. Fortune and Greene were eighth and ninth, in that order, while Gilbert was credited with 10th.

***

Scott Prillaman grabbed the lead on the first lap and wired the field for his sixth feature win of the season in the 50-lap A Main, sealing the $10,000 series title. Prillaman's six feature wins -- all in A Mains -- match his total of six Top Dog wins.

Kerry Gilbert started the race from the pole position, but gave way to Prillaman, his front-row partner, on lap 1. Gilbert settled into second, followed by Charlie Green, Craig Carlton and Jordan Wood. By lap 7, Prillaman was up by three lengths and pulling away.

On lap 9, Green ducked under Gilbert in a bid for second. He inched ahead at the end of lap 10 and cleared Gilbert's machine on lap 11.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 13 when Bobby Dean spun off Turn 4. At the same time, Carlton went around off the second corner. Both drivers went to the rear of the field for the ensuing restart.

Back under way, Prillaman and Green bolted from the pack. The running order remained constant at the head of the field until lap 35 when Green tangled with Dean's lapped car in Turn 4 and spun, prompting the second yellow flag.

Lining up for the restart, Prillaman was the leader, separated from second-place Gilbert by a pair of lapped cars. Jordan Wood was third, followed by Derek Miller and Cody Carlton.

Returning to green, the front-runners took off, while, deeper in the field, a logjam developed in Turns 1 and 2. Cody Carlton and Adam Florian emerged from the fracas in fourth and fifth, respectively. A couple laps later, Florian and Wood locked horns in Turn 2, opening the door for Miller, who brought Robbie Davis along with him.

While his pursuers jostled among themselves in his wake, Prillaman was on cruise control, nearly half a lap ahead of the field.

With the white flag flying, Florian, who entered the evening with slim hopes of overtaking Prillaman for the series title, spun out of jumble on the backstretch. Prillaman came around to receive both the checkered and yellow flags, bringing the event to a conclusion.

Gilbert was second in the official rundown, followed by Cody Carlton, Davis and Miller. Green was sixth and joined the top five finishers in moving on to the Top Dog feature.

***

Starting from the outside pole, Tony Perez nosed out front on the opening lap and held on to nab his first feature victory in the 50-lap B Main.

Travis Fortune was the pole-sitter for the event. As the race got under way, though, Perez gathered momentum in the high lane and led by half a length at the end of lap 1. The first of the race's seven caution flags flew on lap 2.

Back under green, Josh Turner, the 2007-08 champ of Arena Racing USA's Charlotte, N.C., series, scooted past Fortune to take over the second spot. He quickly closed in on Perez and began searching for an opening.

On lap 9, Turner poked a fender to the inside of Perez off Turn 4. Perez remained committed to the high side and clung to the lead, finally clearing Turner on lap 15.

Over the remaining circuits, Turner took several more runs to the inside of Perez, but never could pull off a pass for the lead.

Turner got one last shot at the leader when the final caution flag flew on lap 49, setting up a "green-white-checkered" finish.

On the final restart, Perez eked out a half-car-length advantage, only to see Turner rapidly close the gap. Coming to the white flag, Turner pulled alongside Perez. Perez kept his car wound up on the outside, though, and won by less than a car-length.

Turner, in just his second start in the Hampton Roads series, came home second, followed by Fortune and Spencer Saunders, who took the last Top Dog transfer position. Matt Midgett rounded out the top five.

***

Larry Murphy, the defending series champ, took the lead on the 40th circuit and showed the way to his fourth feature victory in the 50-lap C Main.

Chris Crecelius started on the pole and led the first 39 circuits. Meanwhile, Murphy, who started ninth in the 11-car field, had teamed up with 11th-place starter Aaron Leach and was slicing through the pack. Murphy slipped past Steve Greene to take over the runner-up spot on lap 16, bringing Leach along with him.

On lap 37, Crecelius bobbled in Turn 4 and Murphy ducked to his inside. The two went door-to-door until lap 40 when a slower car blocked Crecelius' path in Turn 2, allowing Murphy to pull ahead. Before Crecelius could find a place in line, he had given way to Leach, Greene and Stephen Kirby, falling to fifth.

The last of the race's six caution flags flew on lap 48, setting up a three-lap dash to the finish. On the final restart, Murphy jumped ahead of Leach by a little more than a car-length. Leach closed a bit in the waning laps, but couldn't get close enough to attempt a pass for the win as Murphy held on for the win.

Leach was the runner-up, followed by Greene and Kirby. The top four drivers advanced to the Top Dog race. Crecelius, who led most of the event, wound up fifth, just missing a starting spot in the evening's last contest.

***

Scott Prillaman was the pacesetter in late afternoon time trials. He circled the 1/10th-mile oval in 8.111 seconds, 34-thousandths of a second quicker than Michael Weddell. Thirty-five drivers posted qualifying laps. The separation from first to 35th was only 0.808-second.

***

MAR. 29 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Aaron Leach; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Larry Murphy; 4. Derek Miller; 5. Robbie Davis; 6. Stephen Kirby; 7. Charlie Green; 8. Travis Fortune; 9. Steve Greene; 10. Kerry Gilbert; 11. Spencer Saunders; 12. Cody Carlton; 13. Josh Turner; 14. Tony Perez. Pole: Tony Perez.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Kerry Gilbert; 3. Cody Carlton; 4. Robbie Davis; 5. Derek Miller; 6. Charlie Green; 7. Michael Weddell; 8. Curtis Hughes; 9. Adam Florian; 10. Jordan Wood; 11. Bobby Dean; 12. Craig Carlton. Pole: Kerry Gilbert.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Tony Perez; 2. Josh Turner; 3. Travis Fortune; 4. Spencer Saunders; 5. Matt Midgett; 6. Brittany Bangas; 7. Megan Dayton; 8. Dane Wood; 9. Denver Alvis; 10. Travis Wall; 11. Greg Pass; 12. Ken Simmons. Pole: Travis Fortune.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Larry Murphy; 2. Aaron Leach; 3. Steve Greene; 4. Stephen Kirby; 5. Chris Crecelius; 6. Cameron Williams; 7. Lee Banks; 8. Craig Rayfield; 9. Doug Lightner; 10. Samantha Lightner; 11. Steve Hanna. Pole: Chris Crecelius.

***

NEXT EVENT: 2007-08 Awards Banquet. Friday, April 11 @ Hilton Norfolk Airport. Social Hour begins at 6:30 PM.

Prillaman bags 6th Top Dog win, closes in on series title

HAMPTON, Va. (Mar. 28) -- Continuing his march toward a $10,000 championship payoff, Scott Prillaman took the lead on lap 31 and rolled to his sixth victory in the Top Dog race, the 50-lap featured event of Friday evening's program for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum. Friday's event kicked off NAPA Auto Care "Championship Weekend," which will culminate with Saturday night's 2007-08 season finale.

Derek Miller was the pole-sitter for the event, but gave way to outside pole starter Craig Carlton as the race got going. Miller settled into second place, followed by Larry Murphy, Spencer Saunders and Cody Carlton.

On lap 8, Saunders got a run on Murphy, pulling alongside in a bid for third. He cleared Murphy at the start of lap 9 and brought Cody Carlton and Prillaman along with him, dropping Murphy, the defending series champ, out of the top five.

Working lap 15, Craig Carlton enjoyed a half-straightaway lead over Miller. Another half-straightaway separated Miller from third-place Saunders, who had his hands full with Cody Carlton and Prillaman. On lap 18, Saunders gave up the third spot, slipping high in Turn 2 and allowing Cody Carlton and Prillaman to dart past.

By the 23rd circuit, Craig Carlton had closed in on the tail of the field. Behind him, Cody Carlton and Prillaman had tracked down Miller for second.

Just past the halfway mark, Cody Carlton two-wheeled his way through Turn 4, opening the door for Prillaman to grab third place. On the next circuit, lap 27, Prillaman overhauled Miller for the runner-up spot.

The first yellow flag waved on lap 30 when series veteran Bobby Dean slammed the outside wall in Turn 2. The race was red-flagged as officials and rescue personnel attended to Dean.

As the race resumed, Prillaman wasted little time in going after the lead. He tailed Craig Carlton to Turn 4 after the restart, then dipped to the leader's inside. Prillaman cleared Craig Carlton in Turn 3 on lap 31. Behind the lead duo, Saunders bypassed Miller to regain third. His stay in that position was short-lived, though, as Cody Carlton slipped past on lap 33.

The second yellow flag flew on lap 35 when Travis Wall ground to a halt at the end of the backstretch. Setting the lineup, Prillaman was the leader, followed by the Carltons -- Craig and Cody, Saunders and Kerry Gilbert.

Back under way, Prillaman forged a one-length edge over the Carlton brothers, then began to ease away. Within five laps, his lead had grown to half a straightaway. Meanwhile, championship contender Adam Florian ducked to the inside of Saunders in a bid for fourth. Saunders, though, kept his machine wound up in the high lane to hold off the advance.

The final caution flag appeared on lap 48 when Murphy encountered problems in Turn 2.

Under green for the last time, Prillaman leaped out to a three-length lead. Deeper in the field, Florian changed tactics and drove to the outside of Saunders as their fourth-place battle resumed.

At the finish, Prillaman was the winner by three lengths over Craig Carlton. Cody Carlton was third. Florian edged Saunders for fourth, but officials determined that he had jumped the final restart and penalized him to the tail of the lead lap -- eighth place. Saunders was fourth in the amended rundown, followed by Gilbert.

Miller was sixth in the finishing order, while Josh Turner, the 2007-08 champ of Arena Racing USA's Charlotte, N.C., series, was seventh, followed by Florian. Early retirees Murphy and Wall were credited with ninth and 10th, in that order.

***

Spencer Saunders, last season's top rookie, notched his first feature victory of the 2007-08 season in the 50-lap A Main. He started on the pole position and showed the way from flag to flag.

Saunders grabbed the lead out of Turn 2 on the opening lap, pulling ahead of his front-row colleague, Josh Turner, who was piloting Sparky West's #99 car.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 6 when series leader Scott Prillaman got turned sideways on the backstretch and collected Aaron Leach. Prillaman, Leach and Travis Wall all retreated to the back of the pack for the ensuing restart.

Back under green, Adam Florian, second to Prillaman in the series standings, slipped past Turner for second place. Meanwhile, Prillaman was mired at the rear of the field and he paid the price on lap 14, dropping a lap down to Saunders.

The second and third caution flags waved on laps 16 and 20, giving Prillaman a chance to regain his lost lap. He accomplished the feat on lap 21 when he overtook Saunders.

As Prillaman dashed away from the lead pack, Florian moved up to challenge Saunders for the top spot. He was unable to muster a winning pass, however, as Saunders held on to win by a car-length. Turner was third in his Hampton Roads debut, followed by Greg Pass, in fourth.

Aided by caution-causing incidents on laps 28 and 37, Prillaman was able to rebound for a fifth-place finish, securing a Top Dog starting spot. Wall was sixth and nabbed the final Top Dog transfer position.

***

Jordan Wood started on the pole and led from wire-to-wire, holding off a race-long challenge from Derek Miller to pick up his third feature win in the 50-lap B Main.

Wood and Miller made up the front row as the field rumbled toward the initial green flag. As the race got under way, Wood eked out a slim, half-length edge. He cleared Miller on lap 2. By lap 9, the front two had pulled away by nearly a straightaway over Stephen Kirby, who moved from fifth to third in the opening circuits.

After 10 clean-and-green laps, an epidemic of "yellow fever" struck. The remaining circuits were slowed by seven caution flags.

While Wood, Miller and Kirby maintained command of the top three spots, the final Top Dog transfer position was up for grabs. Kerry Gilbert finally assumed the spot on lap 44 when Tony Perez and Mark Wertz, the fourth- and fifth-place runners, tangled in Turn 4. Perez, who overturned, went to the back of the pack and Wertz retired for the night.

The final caution flag flew on lap 48 when Brittany Bangas smacked the outside wall in Turn 3, setting up a "green-white-checkered" sprint to the finish.

On the last restart, Wood quickly fashioned a one-length advantage over Miller, maintaining that margin to the end. Kirby was third, followed by Gilbert. Those four drivers all qualified for the Top Dog race. Matt Midgett was fifth.

***

Cody Carlton took the lead on lap 27 and sailed to his fourth feature victory of the season in the 50-lap C Main. It was Carlton's third straight C Main win.

Bobby Dean and Larry Murphy shared the front row for the start of the event. Dean, the pole-sitter, paced the first two circuits before giving way to Murphy on lap 3. Carlton followed Murphy's cue and swiped second place from Dean on lap 5.

The first 16 laps were interrupted by four caution flags as Carlton shadowed race leader Murphy. Coming to the crossed flags, signifying the halfway mark, Carlton launched his bid for the top spot, ducking under Murphy along the backstretch. The two went door-to-door for two laps with Murphy maintaining a slight advantage.

On lap 27, a lapped machine popped up in Murphy's path and Carlton capitalized, gaining the clear-cut edge. Three more yellow flags delayed Carlton's trip to Victory Lane. He was up to the task on each restart, though, easily holding Murphy at bay.

At the finish, Carlton was the winner by four lengths over Murphy. Dean was third to the line, holding off the winner's brother, Craig Carlton, down the stretch. The top four finishers all advanced to the evening's Top Dog finale. Ken Simmons completed the top five.

***

Scott Prillaman was quickest in late afternoon time trials, lapping the 1/10th-mile oval in 8.118 seconds. Robbie Davis was second-fastest, nine-hundredths of a second behind Prillaman and just three-thousandths ahead of R.J. Davis. Thirty-six drivers took part in the qualifying session.

***

MAR. 28 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Craig Carlton; 3. Cody Carlton; 4. Spencer Saunders; 5. Kerry Gilbert; 6. Derek Miller; 7. Josh Turner; 8. Adam Florian; 9. Larry Murphy; 10. Travis Wall; 11. Bobby Dean; 12. Stephen Kirby; 13. Jordan Wood; 14. Greg Pass. Pole: Derek Miller.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Spencer Saunders; 2. Adam Florian; 3. Josh Turner; 4. Greg Pass; 5. Scott Prillaman; 6. Travis Wall; 7. Denver Alvis; 8. Charlie Green; 9. Robbie Davis; 10. Aaron Leach; 11. R.J. Davis; 12. Michael Weddell. Pole: Spencer Saunders.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Jordan Wood; 2. Derek Miller; 3. Stephen Kirby; 4. Kerry Gilbert; 5. Matt Midgett; 6. Chris Crecelius; 7. Curtis Hughes; 8. Brittany Bangas; 9. Tony Perez; 10. Mark Wertz; 11. Cameron Williams; 12. Travis Fortune. Pole: Jordan Wood.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. Larry Murphy; 3. Bobby Dean; 4. Craig Carlton; 5. Ken Simmons; 6. Lee Banks; 7. Megan Dayton; 8. Steve Hanna; 9. Samantha Lightner; 10. Doug Lightner; 11. Steve Greene; 12. Craig Rayfield. Pole: Bobby Dean.

***

NEXT EVENT: NAPA Auto Care "Championship Weekend" (Night #2) @ Hampton Coliseum. Saturday, March 29 - Doors open at 6:00 PM; Racing at 7:00 PM. Season Finale!

Davis rebounds from A Main loss, Posts 2Nd Straight Top Dog Win

2007-08 Event #13 - Kids T-Shirt Night presented by Eagle 97.3FM, Daily Press and Aard-Alltuf Screenprinting & Embroidery Friday, March 21, 2008

(Mar. 21) -- Robbie Davis grabbed the lead on lap 16 and rolled on to his second consecutive victory in the 50-lap Top Dog feature, the main event of Friday evening's program for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum.

Derek Miller drew the pole for the start and took the top spot at the drop of the initial green flag. Outside pole starter Brittany Bangas dropped back to third, while Mark Wertz advanced to the runner-up position.

The first caution flag waved on lap 12 when Bangas spun in Turn 2. Gathering for the restart, Miller and Wertz went 1-2, followed by Matt Midgett, Davis and series leader Scott Prillaman.

Back under way, Davis shot to the inside of Midgett in a bid for third. Before their battle could take shape, however, the second yellow flag flew for a four-car incident in Turns 1 and 2.

As the race resumed, Wertz stalked Miller for a lap, then moved out front on the 13th circuit when Miller drifted high, wide and sideways in Turn 4. Davis also took advantage of Miller's predicament, taking over second.

On lap 16, Davis slipped to the inside of Wertz along the backstretch and gained the clear-cut edge off Turn 4 to move atop the leaderboard. Prillaman followed Davis' cue and bypassed Wertz for second. Wertz dropped to third with Miller and Adam Florian in fourth and fifth.

The third yellow flag flew on lap 20 when Aaron Leach overturned off Turn 2. Just before the caution, Florian had swiped fourth from Miller.

Returning to green, Davis and Prillaman bolted nose-to-tail, opening a one-length lead over Wertz. A couple laps later, Florian overhauled Wertz for the third spot. Miller tried to join Florian, but was rebuffed by Wertz.

At lap 30, Davis and Prillaman were still bumper-to-bumper and encountering lapped traffic. Davis was afforded a bit of breathing room on lap 33 when Prillaman scuffled momentarily with Bangas' lapped machine and fell three lengths back.

Heading into the final 10 laps, Davis' progress toward Victory Lane was stymied by Greg Pass, allowing teammates Prillaman and Florian to close in. Davis caught a break, though, as Wertz spun in Turn 2 on lap 45 to bring out the last of the race's four yellow flags. The caution prompted one final restart and gave Davis a clear racetrack to work with.

Under green for the last time, Davis clung to the lead as Prillaman nipped at his heels. Despite his best efforts, Prillaman couldn't get close enough to rattle Davis in the closing laps and Davis won by a car-length, avenging a narrow loss to Prillaman in the A Main, earlier in the night.

Prillaman was second to the line and solidified his position atop the series standings going into season's final two events -- slated for next Friday and Saturday evening. Florian was third, followed by Cody Carlton and Midgett.

Kerry Gilbert, Pass and Jordan Wood were sixth, seventh and eighth, in that order -- the final drivers to complete the entire distance. Bangas was ninth, a lap down, and Wertz, who retired after his late-race spin, was credited with 10th.

***

Scott Prillaman took over the top spot on lap 47 and showed the way to his fifth feature victory in the 50-lap A Main. All of Prillaman's five wins this season have come in A Mains. He has also scored five Top Dog victories.

Spencer Saunders was the pole-sitter for the start of the event, sharing the front row with Prillaman. Prillaman gained a slim edge at the end of the opening lap, but Saunders battled back to take the clear-cut lead on lap 2. Robbie Davis slipped to the inside of Prillaman and nosed into second.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 3 as Ken Simmons overturned off the fourth corner. Behind him, Charlie Green and Adam Florian tied up as the field came to the yellow. All three drivers dropped to the back of the pack for the restart.

Back under green, Saunders eked out a one-length lead over Davis and Prillaman. By lap 8, the top three had opened a half-straightaway gap over fourth-place Greg Pass, who had his hands full with a challenge from R.J. Davis.

On lap 10, Robbie Davis ducked to the inside of Saunders along the backstretch. He pulled ahead off Turn 4 to take the lead. Prillaman tagged along on Davis' bumper and grabbed second place as Saunders fell to third. Within a few laps, Davis and Prillaman had driven away from Saunders by four lengths.

The second caution flag appeared on lap 27 when Matt Midgett and Green tangled off Turn 2. Setting the running order, Robbie Davis led, followed by Prillaman, Saunders and R.J. Davis. During the caution period, however, R.J. Davis pulled to the infield with mechanical problems and handed fourth to Derek Miller. Pass rounded out the top five.

As the race resumed, Davis and Prillaman broke bumper-to-bumper, pulling ahead of Saunders by half a length. On lap 31, Saunders' night came to a premature end as he fell off the pace and headed to the sidelines. Saunders' exit left Davis and Prillaman with a full-straightaway margin over Miller, the new third-place runner.

The last of the race's three yellow flags flew on lap 37 when Simmons spun in Turn 4.

Under green for the sprint to the checkers, Davis headed a six-car train at the head of the field. Soon, he and Prillaman separated themselves from Miller, making the battle for the win a two-way affair.

After shadowing Davis throughout the event, Prillaman motored out front on lap 47. By the finish, his winning margin had grown to two car-lengths. Robbie Davis was second, followed by Miller, Florian, Pass and Midgett. The top six drivers all claimed starting spots in the Top Dog finale.

***

Aaron Leach started on the pole, reclaimed the lead late in the 50-lap B Main and held on for his third feature win.

Leach, who shared the front row with Mark Wertz, pulled out front off Turn 2 on the opening lap. Wertz tried to battle back off Turn 4, but ended up spinning in Turn 2 on lap 2 to bring out the first caution flag.

Back under green, Leach took a one-length lead over Curtis Hughes. The top two were soon joined by Jordan Wood, Craig Carlton and Kerry Gilbert to produce a five-way joust for the lead.

The complexion of the event took a turn on lap 24 when Hughes got turned sideways in Turn 4. Wood was collected in the ensuing melee and overturned, while Gilbert also caught a piece of the action. As Wood, Hughes and Gilbert retreated to the rear of the field, Travis Wall assumed the runner-up spot.

As the race resumed, third-place Wertz powered to the outside of Wall. The two tangled off Turn 2 and Carlton slipped past both cars to take second.

Carlton quickly closed on Leach and motored underneath the leader on lap 28. Before that duel could develop, however, the race's third caution flag appeared for debris in the second corner. Caution #4, also for debris, flew on lap 34. Setting the lineup, Leach, Carlton, Wall and Chris Crecelius made up the top four.

Returning to green, Crecelius took the high side of the track, rim-riding past Wall and Carlton and into second place. The fifth caution flag waved on lap 38 when Carlton and Wall locked horns off Turn 4.

When the green flag reappeared, Crecelius went back to the outside and snagged the lead from Leach. As it turned out, though, the move was just a little too good. When the sixth caution flag flew on lap 45 for Carlton's overturned car off Turn 4, officials directed Crecelius to the back of the pack for jumping the previous restart.

With Crecelius relegated to the rear of the field, Leach returned to the lead. Wood was deployed in second, followed by Gilbert, Wertz and Hughes.

Under green for the last time, the top four bolted in nose-to-tail formation. As the laps wound down, Gilbert began sneaking peeks to the inside of Wood for second. While Wood and Gilbert tussled over the runner-up spot, Leach pulled away and won by two car-lengths. Wood, Gilbert and Wertz were second, third and fourth, respectively, and all moved on to the Top Dog feature. Hughes came home fifth.

***

Cody Carlton grabbed the lead on lap 35 of the caution-filled, 50-lap C Main and drove on to his third feature victory of the season.

Cameron Williams started on the pole and paced the first four circuits before giving way to Brittany Bangas on lap 5. A lap later, Williams spun in Turn 2 to bring out the third yellow flag.

Bangas held sway until lap 19 when a lapped machine blocked her progress and opened the door for Travis Fortune and Carlton, who moved up to first and second.

Carlton followed in Fortune's tire tracks until lap 35 when he ducked under the leader on the backstretch and motored ahead off Turn 4.

Carlton had to endure two more caution periods before he could celebrate a win. He easily fended off Fortune on the final two restarts, though, and won by almost half a straightaway. Bangas was third to the stripe, while Megan Dayton was fourth and nabbed the last transfer spot into the evening's Top Dog finale. Tony Perez completed the top five. The race was slowed by a total of eight yellow flags.

***

R.J. Davis set the pace in afternoon time trials, turning the 1/10th-mile oval in 8.182 seconds to edge Robbie Davis by just three-thousandths of a second. In a very competitive qualifying session, 31 drivers posted laps and the separation from first to 31st was only 0.754-second.

***

MAR. 21 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Robbie Davis; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Adam Florian; 4. Cody Carlton; 5. Matt Midgett; 6. Kerry Gilbert; 7. Greg Pass; 8. Jordan Wood; 9. Brittany Bangas; 10. Mark Wertz; 11. Derek Miller; 12. Travis Fortune; 13. Aaron Leach; 14. Megan Dayton. Pole: Derek Miller.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Robbie Davis; 3. Derek Miller; 4. Adam Florian; 5. Greg Pass; 6. Matt Midgett; 7. Michael Weddell; 8. Charlie Green; 9. Ken Simmons; 10. Spencer Saunders; 11. R.J. Davis. Pole: Spencer Saunders.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Aaron Leach; 2. Jordan Wood; 3. Kerry Gilbert; 4. Mark Wertz; 5. Curtis Hughes; 6. Stephen Kirby; 7. Travis Wall; 8. Craig Carlton; 9. Chris Crecelius; 10. Larry Murphy; 11. Steve Greene. Pole: Aaron Leach.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. Travis Fortune; 3. Brittany Bangas; 4. Megan Dayton; 5. Tony Perez; 6. Steve Hanna; 7. Craig Rayfield; 8. Sparky West; 9. Cameron Williams; 10. Lee Banks. Pole: Cameron Williams.

***

NEXT EVENT: NAPA Auto Care "Championship Weekend" @ Hampton Coliseum. Friday, March 28 - Doors open at 6:30 PM; Racing at 7:30 PM. Saturday, March 29 (Season Finale) - Doors open at 6:00 PM; Racing at 7:00 PM.

POINTS LEADERS HOLD THEIR GROUND

Owens, Boyer, Turner and Kennon all Victorious

With the points championship all but decided for Josh Turner, and second place secured by Nate Kennon, the battle for third place was on, and both Jeff Boyer and Michael Owens joined Tuner and Kennon in victory circle last week, maintaining their own positions in the points standings.

Owens would take the first race of the night, winning the C Main from the fifth place starting position. Owens would take the lead on lap 17, as the race’s first caution flew for contact between the #7 of Ed Peters and #4 of Brooks Davis. Owens would hold the lead through a series of cautions over the next ten laps. Jake Faires, running in second place and Brian Moore, running in third would bring out the second caution of the race on lap 24. The ensuing restart would bring out another caution. With several faster cars in the back of the field, Owens would be able to extend his lead. A caution with only a few laps to go, would result in a green, white, checkered finish, with Owens holding off Peters, Moore and Faires for his third victory of the season.

With Owens claiming victory in the C Main, Boyer took the track for the B Main, looking to extend his protect his third place position in the points standings over the the fourth place Owens. Aided by a second place starting position, Boyer wasted no time in getting to the front, leading lap one and holding that lead position for all 50 laps. Early in the race, Del Stewart gave chase, until contact between him Bryan Thomas, running third at the time, put Stewart onto the roof of his car. The rest of the race would be run without the yellow caution flag making another appearance. Graham Beck continued his hot streak off the past few weeks, finishing second to go with his recent third and second place showings in the A Main races. Skipper Beck came home third.

The evening’s A Main took on a look that has become all too familiar to Arena Racing fans this season, as Josh Turner won for a record 13th time, leading all 50 laps. As the drivers got settled into the race, Kennon would find himself chasing Turner. Kennon may have had the faster car at times, but would be unable to get a nose under the #36 to make a run for the lead. Rookie Drew Louthan continued his impressive rookie season with a third place finish.

The points bonus Top Dog race featured 12 of the top 14 drivers in the points standings, all looking to pick up whatever precious points they could. Kennon would lead all 50 laps, the third driver to do so this evening. Skipper Beck would be in the rear view mirror of Kennon for the first 33 laps, before points leader Josh Turner would take over the second spot. With ten laps to go, Rookie Pete Hunt would take over the third place position and hold on over the final laps. A third place finish, continued a hot streak of late for Hunt, who finished second in the Top Dog last week. Boyer took fourth, with Skipper Beck in third.

NOTES:

Championship – With a 27 point lead, Josh Turner has nearly mathematically clinched the points championship. For the season, Turner has a record 13 victories.

Rookies: Drew Louthan holds an eight point lead over Peter Hunt for the highest finishing rookie in the points standings, with Zach Moran third, twelve points behind Louthan.

Look Out For These Guys This Week: With the final races of the season taking place tonight, the following drivers, who are in the top-twenty in points are taking their last shot at victory: Duke Furr, Drew Louthan, Zach Moran, Skipper Beck, Graham Beck, Seth Brown, Adam Mikels and Brooks Davis.

Davis posts 1st Top Dog victory on Girl Scout Night

HAMPTON, Va. (Mar. 8) -- Robbie Davis followed up his B Main victory by taking his first Top Dog win as Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series hosted Girl Scout Night on Saturday evening at the Hampton Coliseum. Davis started third and took the lead for good on lap 15 of the 50-lap event.

Chris Crecelius drew the pole for the start of the race. He was due to share the front row with Steve Greene. Greene, however, was unable to make the starting grid and Larry Murphy moved into second slot as Greene's car was pushed to the infield.

As the race got going, Murphy, the defending series champ, nosed ahead of Crecelius to take the lead. He cleared Crecelius in Turn 1 on the second lap. Davis tagged along with Murphy to take over second place. Crecelius settled into third, followed by Scott Prillaman and Derek Miller.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 6 for debris on the frontstretch.

Back under green, Murphy, Davis and Prillaman broke away from the pack, while Miller went to work on Crecelius for fourth, finally gaining the position on lap 9. Adam Florian followed Miller's cue and also bypassed Crecelius for fifth.

The battle for the lead heated up on lap 13 when Davis ducked under Murphy and edged ahead. Murphy fought back on lap 14, nosing ahead at the stripe. Davis was back atop the leaderboard at the end of lap 15 and he cleared Murphy on lap 17 to grab the clear-cut advantage. As Davis pulled ahead, Prillaman capitalized on the opening and snagged the runner-up spot. Murphy dropped another position on lap 24 when he gave way to Florian.

The second caution flag flew on lap 28 when Michael Weddell spun off Turn 4. The yellow flag benefited the leader, who was mired in a pack of slower cars with Prillaman looming just off his bumper.

On the restart, Davis led Prillaman, Florian and Murphy in a four-car breakaway at the head of the field. Behind them, Miller and Charlie Green worked around Sparky West to gain fifth and sixth.

On lap 34, Florian overhauled his teammate, Prillaman, to take over second. He drove low off the second corner and cleared Prillaman's #98 machine off Turn 4. Caution #3 appeared one lap later for debris in the middle of Turns 3 and 4.

Back under green, Davis managed a slim edge over Florian. As the laps clicked off, the margin gradually began to grow. That all changed on lap 41, however, as several cars briefly stacked up in Turn 4 with the leaders approaching. Suddenly, Davis found himself in the midst of heavy traffic with Florian and Prillaman breathing down his neck.

Once more, a yellow flag -- the fourth, and final, one of the race -- worked to Davis' advantage. The caution flag appeared on lap 49 as West slowed along the frontstretch and allowed Davis a clear track for one more restart.

Under green for the final time, Davis and Florian bolted in nose-to-tail formation. Davis held on over the last two laps and won by half a car-length over Florian, who came home second. Prillaman was third, followed by Murphy and Green.

Miller was sixth to the line, while Aaron Leach and Weddell were seventh and eighth, respectively, the final drivers to complete the entire distance. Craig Carlton and Crecelius were ninth and 10th, in that order, both a lap off the pace.

***

Series leader Scott Prillaman benefited from an inversion of the top six qualifiers for the 50-lap A Main. He took over the pole position and proceeded to wire the field for his fourth feature victory (and first since Jan. 25). Prillaman's season record also includes five Top Dog wins.

Michael Weddell started third and came out of the race-opening shuffle in second. R.J. Davis moved up to third, followed by Spencer Saunders and Charlie Green. Aaron Leach, meanwhile, slid from the outside pole back to sixth place. Adam Florian, the evening's fast qualifier, was also stuck in reverse, falling from the sixth starting spot to eighth.

The first caution flag flew on lap 24 when Saunders spun on the frontstretch. As the field slowed, Brittany Bangas and Davis tangled off the second corner, sending Davis to the sidelines for the night.

The second caution flag appeared just after the ensuing restart, at lap 25, when Mark Wertz went around in Turn 2. Setting the lineup, Prillaman, Weddell and Green held the top three spots, while Florian had overcome his early struggles and ran fourth.

Returning to green, Prillaman forged a one-length lead over Weddell, who was tailed closely by Green and Florian. Behind them, Matt Midgett picked up the fifth spot on lap 33 with a high-side pass of Leach. Three laps later, Florian scooted past Green for third.

The third, and final, yellow flag waved on lap 38 when Bangas spun in Turn 2.

Under green for the sprint to the finish, Prillaman edged ahead by a car-length, while Florian moved up to challenge Weddell for second. Florian took the spot on lap 44, bringing Green along with him. The scuffle allowed Prillaman to widen his advantage to half a straightaway, a margin he would maintain to the end.

At the checkers, Prillaman sailed to the victory. Florian was second, followed by Green, Weddell and Midgett. Leach was sixth and joined the top five finishers in advancing to the evening's Top Dog finale.

***

An inversion of the top four drivers moved Robbie Davis from fourth on the B Main starting grid to the pole. He took full advantage of the break, taking the lead for good on lap 2 and speeding to his fourth feature win in the 50-lapper.

After the inversion, Steve Greene started alongside Davis on the front row. Digging hard in the high lane, he managed to nose out front to lead the first circuit. On lap 2, though, Davis reclaimed command of the event. Larry Murphy emerged from the opening shuffle in third, followed by Kerry Gilbert and Travis Fortune.

The first of the race's five yellow flags appeared on lap 8 when Tony Perez smacked the wall on the backstretch and rolled to a halt in Turn 3.

Back under green, Davis pulled away by two lengths, while Denver Alvis went after Fortune for fifth. On lap 13, Murphy overtook Greene for second. The exchange of the second and third spots allowed Davis to pad his lead to a full straightaway.

Lap 24 saw the appearance of the second and third yellow flags. Caution #2 came out when Cameron Williams spun in Turn 2, while Caution #3 flew soon after the ensuing restart when Gilbert overturned in Turn 2

Back under way, Davis and Murphy bolted from the pack, opening a half-straightaway gap between themselves and third-place Greene.

The fourth caution flag waved on lap 30 when Fortune got together with Steve Hanna's crippled machine on the backstretch. At that point, officials began scoring the caution laps.

The final yellow flag appeared on lap 42 when Gilbert and Travis Wall tangled off the second corner.

On the last restart, Davis eked out a slim edge over Murphy. By the finish, he had stretched the winning margin to two lengths. Murphy was second, followed by Greene. Craig Carlton trimmed Stephen Kirby by half a length to snag fourth, the final Top Dog transfer position.

***

Cody Carlton moved out front on lap 12 and showed the way to his second feature victory of the season in the 50-lap C Main.

Thanks to an inversion of the top six drivers in the original lineup, Derek Miller ended up on the pole for the start of the event. He shared the front row with Carlton and jumped into the lead at the drop of the initial green flag.

The first caution flag waved on lap 7 when Kyle Goolsby spun in Turn 3. Setting the running order, Miller held the top spot, followed by Carlton, Chris Crecelius, Sparky West and Megan Dayton.

Back under green, Miller and Carlton resumed their nose-to-tail duel. Behind them, West took a look to the inside of Crecelius in a bid for third. Crecelius rebuffed West's advance, regaining the clear-cut edge on lap 9.

Coming around to complete lap 11, Carlton launched what would turn out to be the winning pass. He ducked low to the inside of Miller off Turn 4 and completed the move as they roared through Turns 1 and 2 on lap 12. Within a couple circuits, Carlton had opened a lead of almost three lengths.

The second yellow flag flew on lap 15 as Goolsby continued to have difficulty in Turn 3. He was finally eliminated from the race when he slapped the backstretch wall on lap 20, stopping in Turn 4 as Caution #3 appeared.

When the race resumed, Carlton fashioned a one-length edge over Miller, then began to ease away. On lap 27, the leader headed into slower traffic and Miller closed to within two lengths. Carlton broke into the clear on lap 30, though, and began to rebuild his advantage.

At the finish, Carlton was the winner by half a straightaway over Miller. Crecelius was third, while West came home fourth to bag the final Top Dog transfer spot. Dayton completed the top five.

***

In a departure from the norm, the placement of drivers into the evening's A, B and C Mains was accomplished via time trials instead of the customary heat races.

Adam Florian was fastest among the 35 drivers who posted laps, circling the 1/10th-mile layout in 8.106 seconds. R.J. Davis was second-quickest, at 8.165 seconds. Spencer Saunders, Michael Weddell and Aaron Leach were third, fourth and fifth, respectively, on the final speed chart.

***

MAR. 8 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Robbie Davis; 2. Adam Florian; 3. Scott Prillaman; 4. Larry Murphy; 5. Charlie Green; 6. Derek Miller; 7. Aaron Leach; 8. Michael Weddell; 9. Craig Carlton; 10. Chris Crecelius; 11. Sparky West; 12. Cody Carlton; 13. Matt Midgett; 14. Steve Greene. Pole: Chris Crecelius.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Adam Florian; 3. Charlie Green; 4. Michael Weddell; 5. Matt Midgett; 6. Aaron Leach; 7. Jordan Wood; 8. Greg Pass; 9. Mark Wertz; 10. Spencer Saunders; 11. Brittany Bangas; 12. R.J. Davis. Pole: Scott Prillaman (Top 6 inverted).

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Robbie Davis; 2. Larry Murphy; 3. Steve Greene; 4. Craig Carlton; 5. Stephen Kirby; 6. Denver Alvis; 7. Kerry Gilbert; 8. Cameron Williams; 9. Travis Wall; 10. Travis Fortune; 11. Steve Hanna; 12. Tony Perez. Pole: Robbie Davis (Top 4 inverted).

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. Derek Miller; 3. Chris Crecelius; 4. Sparky West; 5. Megan Dayton; 6. Curtis Hughes; 7. Craig Rayfield; 8. Doug Lightner; 9. Bobby Dean; 10. Kyle Goolsby; 11. Samantha Lightner. Pole: Derek Miller (Top 6 inverted).

***

NEXT EVENT: Kids T-Shirt Night. Friday, March 21 @ Hampton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 PM; Racing at 7:30 PM. Free kids t-shirt for the first 1,000 fans through the doors.

NEWS AND NOTES

MARCH 15

RACE #13 OF 15

WRECKS MAR WEEK 13 ACTION

Two Pileups in Top Dog Involving Nine Cars

Turner Avoids Trouble to Take A-Main and Top Dog Victories

 Wreck Involving Leaders Alters C Main Finish

While others around him found themselves in the middle of wrecks and pileups, series points leader Josh Turner (#36, Duke Furr Racing) quietly went about his evening and took home both the A Main and Top Dog victories, the third time this season he has won both races in the same night.  By taking home the maximum 35 points, he put more distance between himself and Nate Kennon (#30, Brickhouse Tavern), who is second in the points battle, now 14 points behind. 

Wrecks proved to be the major them of the event, with two major wrecks in the Top Dog race, as well as wrecks in both the A Main and C Main races that involved either the race leaders, or those challenging for the lead. 

Skipper Beck (#0, Beck Imports) led the C Main race from lap one though lap 39.  Beck, who has 23 starts without a win, found himself 10 laps away from taking his first checkered flag, when he and teammate Daniel Tobeler (#44, Beck Imports) got together in turns 1 & 2, ending both their nights.  Steve Newsome (#69, Southern Pride Motorsports) inherited the lead, and raced Jake Faires (#15, Faires Masonry) over the final laps.  Those two cars would get together on lap 48, bringing out the fifth and final caution of the race.  Nick White (#7, Duke Furr Racing), making only his third start, would assume the lead on the restart and hold off both Newsome and Farris for his first win. 

A season-long theme emerged in the B Main, with Brian Moore (#99, Southern Pride Motorsports) winning for the fifth time this season, all in the B-Main.  Seth Brown (#28, Brown’s Landscaping) would lead the opening 38 laps, through 3 cautions.  The race’s third caution, coming on lap 19, would put Moore in second place on the restart behind Brown.  The two would race in close quarters for 11 laps, until Moore was able to make the pass for the lead on lap 39.  Moore would close out the race for the win, holding off Bryan Thomas (#14, MBI Consultants) in the closing laps. 

The evening’s A-Main, saw Turner lead all 50 laps, starting for the outside of row one.  He would be challenged for the win by rookie Drew Louthan (#2, ECM Insurance), who would take over the second place position on lap 3.  Louthan would give chase to Turner the rest of the race, completing 47 laps in the second position, but unable to take the lead.  Kennon, who is second in the points standing behind Turner, would start the A-Main from the eighth position, needed 22 laps to climb into contention in the fourth place behind Duke Furr (#33, Duke Furr Racing).  Those two would bring out the race’s only caution on lap 32 when Kennon turned Furr attempting to make a pass.  Kennon would finish 6th and Furr 7th. 

As for the evening’s Top Dog, points bonus race, the themes of Turner, Moore and wrecks would continue.  Moore would start from the pole position and lead 19 of the first 20 laps, with only Kennon leading lap 7.  Being out front would certainly be advantageous to both of them, as a pileup coming out turn four involving eight cars, left only Moore, Kennon, Peter Hunt (#21, Speed Channel) and Turner unscathed.  The luck of both Moore and Kennon would run out on lap 23, when another pileup, this time on the backstretch and involving five cars, including race leaders Kennon and Moore.  Turner, Hunt, Louthan and David Morrison (#50, EDI) would all get through without damage and continue.  Turner would lead the field the rest of the way, with Hunt giving chase over the second half of the race, but unable to challenge Turner for the lead. 

Turner, Kennon Continue to Dominate the Field

Turner Sets Record for Wins in a Season

Kennon Holds Record for Most Top Dog Wins All-Time

Both Tied for Most Wins All-Time with Ten

With three weeks remaining in the 2007-2008 season, Josh Turner and Nate Kennon have clearly established themselves as the class of the field. The two have distanced themselves from the rest of the pack in the points standings, and both have set a slew of records for wins in a season as well as all-time wins. Who ultimately ends up owning the championship, as well as the records for wins in a season, will be decided over the remaining three events.

The domination both have exhibited this season is evident, not only in the standings, but in the win total they have amassed this season. After twelve events, Turner has five Top Dog wins and five A Main wins, giving him the record for number of wins in a season. Kennon, meanwhile has produced five Top Dog wins, and one A Main win. Turner and Kennon are both tied for the most wins All-Time with ten.

When their totals are combined, they have won ten of the twelve Top Dog races this season and six of the twelve A Main races.

Last week’s running of the Davis Steel and Iron 200 was no exception, as both continued their current streak of victories. Turner won the A Main for the third consecutive event, giving him a victory in each of the past six events. Kennon won the Top Dog race for the third consecutive week, giving him the record for most Top Dog victories all-time (6), as well as a share of the most Top Dog wins in a season.

As for other action in week twelve, Brian Hartis claimed his first career victory in the C Main, leading all 50 laps. Hartis took the lead on lap one from the outside of row one and built a comfortable lead over the first half of the race. A caution on lap 26, brought the field back into contention forcing Hartis to fend off rookie Jake Faires over the final 20 laps. Faires would get a good run with three laps to go, but could not complete the pass. Hartis would fend Faires off over the final laps to claim his first win.

In the B Main, Brian Moore, who has won four races, all in the B Main this season, took the early lead, showing everyone the way for the first 14 laps. Bryan Thomas would overtake the lead, holding onto it until lap 43, when contact with lapped traffic would bring out the caution and send Thomas, the lap leader, to the rear of the field. The restart, with seven laps to go, found Michael Owens in the lead, followed by three lapped cars, then the second place car of Jeff Boyer. On the restart, Boyer would be able to clear the lapped traffic in only a few laps, but ran out of time in catching Owens, who would take his second checkered flag of the season.

Drew Louthan would take the early lead in the A Main, holding off Turner for the first 17 laps. During the pass for the lead, Turner who was joined in pursuit of Louthan by Kennon, would end up with the three cars going three-wide on the narrow track, without contact and with Turner coming out with the lead. He was followed by Louthan, Kennon and a fast charging Graham Beck. Over the next few laps, Beck would overtake Kennon, then Louthan for second place. A caution on lap 37, would put Beck on Turner’s back bumper. Beck was charging and had to survive three cautions over the final ten laps, but was not able to get past Turner, who would win for a record tenth time this season and for the sixth event in a row.

Nate Kennon would take the lead in the Top Dog race on the second lap, and never look back, leading the final 49 laps to take his third straight Top Dog victory, his fifth of the season and record setting sixth all-time. Josh Turner would finish second, a position he took over on lap 12 and held it to the end, but he would not be able to overtake Kennon at any point for the lead.

NOTES:

Final Week Before Points are Reset: After tonight’s racing, points will be reset per the Arena Racing Rule Book, allowing teams to drop the lowest two point totals of the season.

Miller caps Hat Night with 1st Top Dog victory

2007-08 Event #11 - Hat Night presented by Bullies Grill and Aard-Alltuf Screenprinting & Embroidery Friday, February 22, 2008

Derek Miller led all 50 laps from the pole and came away with his first win of the season in the Top Dog race, the main event of Friday evening's Hat Night presented by Bullies Grill and Aard-Alltuf program, for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum.

As Miller darted ahead of his front-row colleague, Robbie Davis, out of Turn 2 on the opening lap, Michael Weddell rushed in to fill the void to Davis' inside. Weddell picked up the second position on lap 3, bringing Matt Midgett along with him.

The first caution flag flew on lap 5 when Chris Crecelius overturned violently off Turn 2, scattering debris in the corner. Greg Pass and R.J. Davis were also caught up in the incident. Pass rejoined the tail of the field for the ensuing restart, while Davis and Crecelius were sidelined.

Back under green, Miller eked out a slim margin over Weddell. Behind them, Robbie Davis ducked under Midgett in a bid for third. Midgett regained clear-cut command of the position on lap 9.

The second yellow flag waved on lap 24 when Adam Florian went around in Turn 4. Cody Carlton and Scott Prillaman joined Florian in retreating to the back of the pack.

As the race resumed, Midgett jumped to the outside of runner-up Weddell. The two battled door-to-door until lap 25 when Midgett grabbed the spot in Turn 1. Soon, Midgett had closed to within a car-length of Miller for the lead.

With the laps quickly clicking by, Miller began to extend his margin over Midgett. While Miller utilized a more conventional line around the track, hugging the bottom through the corners, Midgett was rim-riding. At lap 33, Miller's lead stood at three lengths.

Caution #3 appeared on lap 36. Pass, having cut down his right-rear tire, tried to make the turn to the infield, but, instead, he clipped the nose of Stephen Kirby's car and spun. Aaron Leach was collected in the incident.

Back under way, Miller opened a two-length lead, while Weddell drove under Midgett, trying to regain second. Weddell was unable to make the move stick, though, as Midgett retained control of the runner-up spot.

The last of the race's four caution flags was unfurled on lap 47 when Craig Carlton scuffled with Florian and overturned in Turn 4. Setting the lineup for the final restart, Miller was out front, followed by Midgett, Weddell, Robbie Davis and Cody Carlton.

Under green for the sprint to the finish, Miller quickly pulled away by two lengths. Behind him, Weddell went after Midgett again for second.

At the end, Miller held on for the win. Midgett was second, while Weddell, Davis and Cody Carlton rounded out the top five. Carlton, however, failed to clear the post-race inspection and was disqualified.

Prillaman was fifth in the amended rundown, followed by Leach, Kirby and Florian. The top eight drivers all finished on the lead lap. Craig Carlton was ninth, a lap down, and Pass was credited with 10th.

***

Starting from the pole, Robbie Davis took the lead for good on lap 2 and sailed to his third feature victory in the 50-lap A Main.

Greg Pass shared the front row with Davis and grabbed the lead at the drop of the initial green flag. Davis battled back on the second circuit, though, and reclaimed the top spot. Michael Weddell, who fought through inclement weather on the way from his home in Centreville, Md., to make the race, emerged from the shuffle in second, followed by Pass.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 5 when Steve Greene overturned in Turn 2.

Back under green, Spencer Saunders tried to use the high lane to advance from the 10th position. After only a lap, though, he spun to the inside barricade off Turn 4.

As the race resumed, Davis managed a slim edge over Weddell. Meanwhile, Derek Miller, who held the final Top Dog transfer spot, got shuffled out of line and gave way to Adam Florian, Mark Wertz and Scott Prillaman. By lap 12, Davis had extended his lead to a full straightaway.

The third caution flag flew on lap 17 when Wertz and Prillaman tied up in Turn 4. Setting the lineup, Davis held the lead, followed by Weddell, Pass, Ken Simmons, Florian and Miller.

Just one more lap was in the books when caution #4 appeared as seventh-place Travis Wall careened into the inside barrier off Turn 2.

The last yellow flag waved on lap 25 when Florian barrel-rolled in Turn 2. Lining up for what would turn out to be the final restart, Davis, Weddell, Pass, Simmons and Miller made up the top five, while Wall held the sixth position.

Returning to green, Davis opened a two-length margin over Weddell. Deeper in the field, Prillaman made his way past Wertz, Wall and Simmons to crack the top five. Florian tagged along with his teammate and moved into the all-important sixth spot.

At the finish, Davis cruised to the win, finishing a full straightaway ahead of Weddell. Pass was third, followed by Miller, Prillaman and Florian. Those six drivers all moved on to the Top Dog finale.

***

R.J. Davis started on the pole and led all the way, holding off a determined Cody Carlton, to score his first feature victory of the season in the 50-lap B Main.

After an early caution flag, at lap 3, Davis pulled out to a large advantage. By lap 12, he had fashioned a half-straightaway margin over Carlton. Another half-straightaway back, Cody's brother, Craig Carlton, battled Aaron Leach for third.

Closing in on lap 20, slower traffic became a factor as Cody Carlton narrowed Davis' lead to just two lengths. Carlton continued to zero in on the leader and made a strong bid for the top spot on lap 32, driving under Davis on the backstretch. At the stripe, though, Davis nosed ahead to retain the point.

Before the Davis/Cody Carlton duel could develop further, the second caution flag appeared for Lee Banks' spin in Turn 2. Lining up for the restart, Davis and Cody Carlton ran 1-2, separated from Craig Carlton by Steve Hanna's lapped machine.

Back under green, Davis and Cody Carlton darted away, while Craig Carlton struggled with Hanna.

The third caution flag flew on lap 38 for debris in Turn 2. Caution #4, the final one of the event, followed on lap 40 when Brittany Bangas got turned around on the back straightaway.

On the last restart, Davis and the Carlton brothers pulled away, while sixth-place Travis Fortune jumped to the outside in a bid to race his way into the Top Dog race. Needing to finish in the top four, Fortune slipped past Jordan Wood for fifth and drove alongside fourth-place Leach. Eventually, however, the outside line didn't pay off as Leach cleared Fortune and left the door open for Wood to regain fifth.

At the checkers, Davis was the winner, fending off Cody Carlton by a car-length. Craig Carlton was third, followed by Leach. Those four drivers all advanced to the Top Dog race. Wood was fifth.

With Cody Carlton's DQ following the Top Dog race, his second-place finish in the B Main was also disallowed. The official top five included: Davis, Craig Carlton, Leach, Wood and Fortune.

***

Charlie Green motored out front on the eighth circuit and showed the way to his fourth feature win in the 50-lap C Main.

Stephen Kirby, subbing for Michelle Pearl, drew the pole for the start of the event and pulled ahead of outside pole starter Megan Dayton at the end of the backstretch on the opening lap.

The first caution flag waved on lap 3 for a multi-car tangle in Turns 1 and 2 that wiped out nearly half of the 11-car field. Sidelined in the incident were Dayton, Joshua Johnson, Wes Morgan, Curtis Hughes and Cameron Williams.

Back under green, Kirby and Green, the new second-place runner, bolted from the pack. Soon, they were joined by Kerry Gilbert, who moved up to make the battle for the lead a three-way affair.

Green shadowed Kirby until lap 8 when he ducked to the leader's inside in Turns 1 and 2. He drew even along the backstretch and took over the top spot off the fourth corner. Gilbert and Matt Midgett also scooted past Kirby, moving into second and third, respectively. At lap 20, Green's lead stood at more than half a straightaway.

The second, and final, yellow flag flew on lap 22 when Gilbert and Midgett tangled in Turn 4 and Gilbert overturned. Both drivers were placed at the rear of the field for the ensuing restart, while Green, Kirby and Chris Crecelius headed the field.

As the race resumed, Green jumped out to a three-length advantage over Kirby. Behind them, Gilbert and Midgett hounded third-place Crecelius. While neither driver was able to overtake Crecelius, Midgett eventually did pick off Gilbert for the fourth spot.

At the finish, Green sailed to a comfortable victory, winning by half a lap. Kirby was second, followed by Crecelius, who nipped Midgett at the line for third. Fourth-place Midgett bagged the final transfer spot into the Top Dog feature, while Gilbert completed the top five.

***

Mark Wertz, Spencer Saunders and Ken Simmons picked up victories in the three 25-lap qualifying heat races.

***

FEB. 22 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Derek Miller; 2. Matt Midgett; 3. Michael Weddell; 4. Robbie Davis; 5. Scott Prillaman; 6. Aaron Leach; 7. Stephen Kirby; 8. Adam Florian; 9. Craig Carlton; 10. Greg Pass; 11. Charlie Green; 12. R.J. Davis; 13. Chris Crecelius; DQ Cody Carlton. Pole: Derek Miller.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Robbie Davis; 2. Michael Weddell; 3. Greg Pass; 4. Derek Miller; 5. Scott Prillaman; 6. Adam Florian; 7. Ken Simmons; 8. Travis Wall; 9. Mark Wertz; 10. Steve Greene; 11. Spencer Saunders. Pole: Robbie Davis.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. R.J. Davis; 2. Craig Carlton; 3. Aaron Leach; 4. Jordan Wood; 5. Travis Fortune; 6. Sparky West; 7. Brittany Bangas; 8. Lee Banks; 9. Steve Hanna; 10. Larry Murphy; DQ Cody Carlton. Pole: R.J. Davis.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Charlie Green; 2. Stephen Kirby; 3. Chris Crecelius; 4. Matt Midgett; 5. Kerry Gilbert; 6. Craig Rayfield; 7. Joshua Johnson; 8. Megan Dayton; 9. Curtis Hughes; 10. Wes Morgan; 11. Cameron Williams. Pole: Stephen Kirby.

HEAT 1 (25 laps): 1. Mark Wertz; 2. Derek Miller; 3. Scott Prillaman; 4. Greg Pass; 5. Sparky West; 6. Lee Banks; 7. Brittany Bangas; 8. Steve Hanna; 9. Kerry Gilbert; 10. Stephen Kirby; 11. Matt Midgett. Pole: Matt Midgett.

HEAT 2 (25 laps): 1. Spencer Saunders; 2. Robbie Davis; 3. Michael Weddell; 4. Steve Greene; 5. R.J. Davis; 6. Cody Carlton; 7. Travis Fortune; 8. Charlie Green; 9. Chris Crecelius; 10. Curtis Hughes; 11. Joshua Johnson. Pole: Curtis Hughes.

HEAT 3 (25 laps): 1. Ken Simmons; 2. Travis Wall; 3. Adam Florian; 4. Larry Murphy; 5. Aaron Leach; 6. Jordan Wood; 7. Craig Carlton; 8. Cameron Williams; 9. Craig Rayfield; 10. Megan Dayton; 11. Wes Morgan. Pole: Cameron Williams.

***

NEXT EVENT: Girl Scout Night. Saturday, March 8 @ Hampton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:00 PM; Racing at 7:00 PM.

TURNER, KENNON, MOORE ALL VICTORIOUS AGAIN

DQ IN C MAIN GIVES GIBSON HIS SECOND WIN

In a scene that has become familiar to Arena Racing fans in Charlotte, Josh Turner, Nate Kennon and Brian Moore all took home victories in week 11 action. The three lead the circuit in race wins this season.

Turner, who leads the points standing over Kennon by 4 points, took top honors in the A Main, while Kennon won the Top Dog race for the second week in a row. Brian Moore took his fourth victory of the season in the B Main race. Mike Miller failed post-race inspection and had his C Main victory taken away, giving Kevin Gibson the C Main victory for the second week in a row.

The Top Dog, points bonus race saw Kennon lead 49 of the 50 laps, with pole sitter Mike Miller leading the first lap. Three cautions in the first half of the race would keep all cars on the lead lap and keep Kennon from walking away with the win. The race became a battle for second, with Miller holding off Jeff Boyer, Josh Turner and Bryan Thomas. Miller’s car would fail its post-race inspection, resulting in a disqualification of the #59 car.

Turner’s series leading ninth victory of the season came in the evening’s A Main race, where he took the lead from rookie Drew Louthan on lap eleven and never gave it back. A caution on lap 15 set up yet another battle for the lead between Turner and Kennon. The racing between to two continued to be tight, clean racing, as fans have become accustomed to this season. On lap 34, with Kennon in a spirited charge to pass Turner, Kennon spun and collected Duke Furr, with the resulting caution sending both to the rear of the field and giving Turner the space needed to finish out his ninth win of the season. Rookie Zach Moran has his best finish of the season, as he came in second.

The night’s best racing was in the B Main, with Bryan Thomas, Seth Brown and Brian Moore all leading laps. Thomas led lap one, then gave way to Brown, who lead 13 laps. A caution on lap 14 involving Brown, gave the lead to Moore, but his victory was far from assured. Giving a chase to Moore over the final half of the race was Jeff Boyer and Del Stewart. Several late cautions gave Boyer, who started near the back in the seventh starting position, a chance to claim victory in his #1 City Chevrolet on City Chevrolet 200 night. Boyer would reach Moore’s bumper several times, but was never able to make a pass, as Moore won his 4th race of the season.

Arena Racing fans got some early action on the night, when the evening’s first race, got a premature start, with several drivers jumping the starter’s green flag. After the restart, the filed was able to complete the 50 lap race without a caution. Leading the opening laps was Edgar Dellinger, who gave way to Miller on lap 6 and would lead the field the rest of the way. Miller’s failed post-race inspection gave the victory to Kevin Gibson, his second win of the season.

February 23, 2008 Results

Week 11 of 15

Top Dog

A MAIN

B MAIN

C MAIN

KENNON, TURNER BOTH TAKE WINS

Tuner Leads Points Standings by One

Peters Takes His Second Victory in as Many Races

Gibson First Time Winner in C Main

Josh Turner won again this past weekend, his seventh win in the past eight races. After winning the A-Main, Turner had taken over the points lead from Nate Kennon, who had held onto the lead for past four races. Kennon would take the evening’s Top Dog points bonus race to climb back to within one point of the lead.

Kennon would win the Top Dog race in convincing fashion, leading all 50 laps after starting from the outside of row one. The first caution flew early, on lap five, taking out the #1 car of Jeff Boyer. The restart gave the fans the race they wanted to see, with Kennon leading and being followed in second by Turner. Kennon controlled the race and never relinquished the lead. Turner would get close, even giving Kennon a last lap, desperation bump to Kennon’s back bumper to no avail. It would be Kennon’s fourth win of the season.

In the A-Main, Michael Owens would take the early lead from his starting position on the outside of row one. Both Kennon and Turner would give chase, with the three leads cars racing each other in tight formation. Owens would lead a total of 14 laps, giving way to Turner on lap 19. With Kennon and Owens racing for second, Turner was able to build a comfortable lead. On lap 31, Owens’ car flipped after contact from Kennon. As a result of the caution, Kennon would go to the back of the field, and Owens’ night would end prematurely. Turner was never challenged after the restart, but Kennon would pick up three spots over the final laps, going from 7th to 4th, but the points lead had been surrendered for the first time in over a month.

Fans saw a repeat performance in the B Main, with Ed Peters winning for the second time in as many starts. Peters won the B Main a few weeks ago in his Arena Racing debut. Peters led all 50 laps, something he also did in his previous win, giving him an impressive streak of 2 starts with 2 wins and 100 laps led, in 100 laps of racing. With Peters dominating, the race for second was on, with Zack Moran outlasting Duke Furr. It was Moran’s best finish of his rookie season and it was Furr’s first race back since having knee surgery in January.

Kevin Gibson visited victory lane for the first time, winning the C Main. Gibson, found himself in second place behind teammate Adam Mikels, after a caution was brought out by Stevo Newsome who flipped his car on lap 11. Newsome would continue to race and finish second. Gibson would follow Mikels for several laps, before taking lead while the two managed their way through lapped traffic on lap 24. Gibson would survive one more caution to take his first checkered flag.

Wall fends off Florian for 1st Top Dog triumph

2007-08 Event #10 - Make-A-Wish/Ladies Night Saturday, February 9, 2008

Starting from the pole, Travis Wall led from flag-to-flag and held off a stout challenge from Adam Florian at the end to notch his first victory of the season in the 50-lap Top Dog finale of Saturday evening's Make-A-Wish/Ladies Night program for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum.

The race got off to a rocky start as outside pole starter Spencer Saunders was turned sideways in Turn 4 on the opening circuit, triggering a seven-car pileup and prompting a complete restart. The incident pretty much set the tone for the event as the yellow flag waved a total of eight times.

On the second try at a successful start, Wall pulled ahead of Brittany Bangas to take the lead. Aaron Leach emerged from the opening shuffle in third, followed by Megan Dayton and Sparky West, who went door-to-door for fourth.

The event was interrupted by caution flags on laps 4, 7, 9 and 11 and officials began counting the caution laps. At the head of the field, Wall, Bangas and Leach maintained the top three spots, while West won the duel with Dayton and ran fourth.

Back under green following caution #5, West slipped past Leach to take over third. The sixth yellow flag flew on lap 18 when Craig Carlton spun in Turn 2. Setting the lineup, Wall, Bangas, West, Leach and Dayton made up the top five.

On the restart, Florian cracked the top five, scooting past Dayton. Meanwhile, West overtook Bangas for second, leaving the lane open for Leach and Florian, who also bypassed Bangas.

The seventh caution flag appeared on lap 30 when Leach spun in Turn 4.

Back under green, the top four -- Wall, West, Florian and Bangas -- bolted from the pack in bumper-to-bumper formation. On lap 38, Florian motored ahead of West to take over second place. A lap later, the final caution flag flew when Bangas looped her machine in Turn 2.

The green flag reappeared for the last time on lap 42 and Wall and Florian quickly opened a one-length edge over West and Larry Murphy, who were battling for third.

Florian took repeated peeks to the inside of Wall, but couldn't muster a winning pass as Wall held on to win by a car-length. Murphy, meanwhile, swiped third from West on lap 48 and held that spot to the checkers. West was fourth to the stripe, while Bangas rounded out the top five. The top five drivers were the only ones on the lead lap at the end.

Matt Midgett and Spencer Saunders were sixth and seventh, respectively, followed by Carlton, Travis Fortune and Leach. Dayton, Chris Crecelius, Scott Prillaman and Mark Wertz completed the official rundown.

***

Larry Murphy started on the pole and led all the way to capture his third feature victory in the 50-lap A Main.

Mark Wertz shared the front row with Murphy and stayed on the pole-sitter's flank for most of the opening circuit. Exiting Turn 4, Murphy gained the clear-cut edge, while Wertz settled into second.

The first caution flag waved on lap 6 when Curtis Hughes overturned on the frontstretch. Establishing the running order for the restart, Murphy, Wertz, Jordan Wood, Cody Carlton and Scott Prillaman made up the top five.

Back under green, Murphy pulled away by two lengths, while the next five cars (including R.J. Davis) went nose-to-tail. Soon, seventh-place Spencer Saunders had joined that group.

On lap 16, third-place Wood nearly got turned around in Turn 4, causing a momentary pileup. Saunders spotted an opening to the high side of the melee and vaulted all the way up to third place. Continuing his march toward the front, he overhauled Wertz for second on lap 22. Murphy, meanwhile, enjoyed a lead of nearly half a lap.

The second yellow flag flew on lap 31 when Prillaman spun at the end of the backstretch. As he dropped to the rear of the lineup, he was joined by Davis.

As the race resumed, Matt Midgett took a look to the outside of Kerry Gilbert in a bid for fifth place. Instead of overtaking Gilbert, though, Midgett found himself in a side-by-side battle with Carlton. Carlton eventually grabbed the sixth spot and set off after Gilbert. On lap 38, the two made contact in Turn 2 and Wood took advantage, passing both cars to gain fifth place.

Caution #3 appeared on lap 45 for debris. It was quickly followed by the fourth, and final, yellow flag as Hughes barrel-rolled through Turns 1 and 2 on lap 46.

Gathering for the final restart, Murphy, Saunders, Travis Wall, Wertz and Midgett held the top five spots with series leader Prillaman in sixth.

Under green for the dash to the finish, Murphy motored out to a two-length lead and maintained that advantage to the checkers. Saunders was second to the line, followed by Wall, Wertz, Prillaman and Midgett. The top six drivers all claimed starting positions in the evening's Top Dog finale.

***

Adam Florian posted his fifth feature win of the season in the B Main, which ran six laps past the scheduled 50-lap distance due to a late caution flag.

Steve Hanna drew the pole for the start and led the first two laps. On lap 3, though, he spun on the frontstretch and Sparky West assumed the top spot as the yellow flag waved.

Back under green, West established a two-length lead, while Steve Greene and Brittany Bangas lined up on Megan Dayton's rear bumper.

On lap 10, Greene slipped high in Turn 4 and gave up the second spot to Bangas. Florian, who started sixth, overtook Robbie Davis on lap 12 for fifth and left the door open for Chrissy Wallace, Ken Simmons and Michael Weddell.

The second caution flag appeared on lap 20 when Greene smacked the Turn 4 wall and parted company with his right-rear tire and wheel.

Caution #3 flew on lap 26 when Weddell overturned in Turn 2 in the midst of jumble of cars. Setting the lineup for the restart, West, Dayton, Bangas, Florian and Wallace made up the top five.

Back under way, West jumped out to a three-length lead. On lap 29, Florian slipped past Bangas for third. Wallace tried to follow, but Bangas held her off to maintain fourth place.

On lap 35, Florian made his way around Dayton to pick up second place. Three laps later, several cars stacked up in Turn 2, creating a brief logjam. They quickly pulled away, as the yellow flag remained hidden, with the leader quickly approaching from behind.

On lap 42, West headed into the thicket of slower vehicles, while Florian rapidly closed in on his bumper. Before that battle could develop, though, the last caution flag appeared as Wallace spun out of the pack in Turn 4 and into the inside barricade.

A "green-white-checkered" sprint to the finish was ordered by officials as the event ran into "overtime."

On the final restart, West gained a slim edge over Florian. As they reached Turn 4, with the white flag in sight, Florian launched a bid for the win, ducking low off the corner.

West and Florian were door-to-door for the final lap. Exiting the last corner, Florian nosed ahead and won the drag race back to the checkers by half a car-length. West was second, followed by Dayton and Bangas. Those four drivers advanced to the Top Dog feature. Simmons was fifth to the stripe.

***

Craig Carlton moved out front on the fourth circuit and breezed to his third feature victory of the season in the 50-lap C Main.

Michelle Pearl started on the pole and paced the first three circuits, which included the race's first caution flag at lap 3. Back under green, Carlton dipped to the inside of Pearl in Turn 4 and drew alongside. He pulled ahead at the end of lap 4. Within a few laps he had driven away by three lengths.

By the 12th lap, Carlton had widened his advantage to half a straightaway. Slower traffic loomed ahead, though. As the lead waded into a gaggle of lapped cars, Pearl closed the gap to two lengths. Carlton broke into the clear on lap 19 and began to increase his lead again. At the halfway mark, he was up by better than half a straightaway.

The second yellow flag flew on lap 32 when Wes Morgan, making his Arena Racing USA debut, pounded the Turn 2 wall. The incident prompted a brief red-flag delay for wall repairs.

The third yellow flag appeared on lap 34 when Lee Banks spun in Turn 2. Setting the lineup for the restart, Carlton maintained the lead, followed by Pearl, Aaron Leach, Travis Fortune and Chris Crecelius.

As the race resumed, Carlton quickly opened a two-length advantage, while Fortune scooted past Leach for third. Crecelius tried to follow Fortune's cue, but was rebuffed by Leach.

Caution #4 waved on lap 42 when Banks went around in Turn 4. Also, debris was spotted in Turn 2. Before another lap could be completed, the fifth yellow flag flew as Leach spun in Turn 2. As the field slowed, second-place Pearl hammered the wall off Turn 4. Leach retreated to the back of the pack for the restart, while Pearl headed to the sidelines.

As the field gathered for the last restart, Carlton was the leader, followed by Fortune and Crecelius. Three lapped machines separated Crecelius from fourth-place Leach.

Under green for the final time, Carlton eked out a one-length edge. That advantage increased dramatically, however, as Fortune two-wheeled it in Turn 4 on lap 44 and surrendered second to Crecelius.

At the finish, Carlton was the runaway winner, a straightaway ahead of Crecelius. Fortune was third, while Leach came home fourth and nabbed the final transfer spot into the evening's Top Dog feature. Cameron Williams completed the top five.

***

Cody Carlton, Mark Wertz and Larry Murphy were the winners of the three 25-lap qualifying heat races.

***

FEB. 9 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Travis Wall; 2. Adam Florian; 3. Larry Murphy; 4. Sparky West; 5. Brittany Bangas; 6. Matt Midgett; 7. Spencer Saunders; 8. Craig Carlton; 9. Travis Fortune; 10. Aaron Leach; 11. Megan Dayton; 12. Chris Crecelius; 13. Scott Prillaman; 14. Mark Wertz. Pole: Travis Wall.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Larry Murphy; 2. Spencer Saunders; 3. Travis Wall; 4. Mark Wertz; 5. Scott Prillaman; 6. Matt Midgett; 7. Kerry Gilbert; 8. R.J. Davis; 9. Jordan Wood; 10. Cody Carlton; 11. Curtis Hughes; 12. Derek Miller. Pole: Larry Murphy.

B MAIN (56 laps): 1. Adam Florian; 2. Sparky West; 3. Megan Dayton; 4. Brittany Bangas; 5. Ken Simmons; 6. Robbie Davis; 7. Greg Pass; 8. Charlie Green; 9. Steve Hanna; 10. Michael Weddell; 11. Chrissy Wallace; 12. Steve Greene. Pole: Steve Hanna.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Craig Carlton; 2. Chris Crecelius; 3. Travis Fortune; 4. Aaron Leach; 5. Cameron Williams; 6. Kyle Goolsby; 7. Lee Banks; 8. Michelle Pearl; 9. Craig Rayfield; 10. Wes Morgan; 11. Doug Lightner; 12. Samantha Lightner. Pole: Michelle Pearl.

HEAT 1 (25 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. R.J. Davis; 3. Jordan Wood; 4. Kerry Gilbert; 5. Adam Florian; 6. Chrissy Wallace; 7. Steve Greene; 8. Sparky West; 9. Lee Banks; 10. Aaron Leach; 11. Chris Crecelius; 12. Craig Rayfield. Pole: Lee Banks.

HEAT 2 (25 laps): 1. Mark Wertz; 2. Spencer Saunders; 3. Matt Midgett; 4. Travis Wall; 5. Greg Pass; 6. Charlie Green; 7. Michael Weddell; 8. Megan Dayton; 9. Cameron Williams; 10. Doug Lightner; 11. Kyle Goolsby; 12. Samantha Lightner. Pole: Mark Wertz.

HEAT 3 (25 laps): 1. Larry Murphy; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Derek Miller; 4. Curtis Hughes; 5. Robbie Davis; 6. Brittany Bangas; 7. Steve Hanna; 8. Ken Simmons; 9. Michelle Pearl; 10. Wes Morgan; 11. Travis Fortune; 12. Craig Carlton. Pole: Larry Murphy.

***

NEXT EVENT: Hat Night. Friday, February 22 @ Hampton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 PM; Racing at 7:30 PM. Free Arena Racing USA hats for first 1,000 fans through the doors.

TURNER HOT STREAK CONTINUES

Turner Takes Top Dog for Third Week in a Row

Kennon Maintains One-Point Lead over Turner

Morrison Claims Victory for Second Time in C Main

Charlotte, NC – Another week, another Top Dog victory for Josh Turner, as he took first place honors for the third straight week in the nightly points bonus race. Coupled with his fourth place showing in the A Main, Turner pulled to within one point of Nate Kennon in the series points championship after nine of fifteen events.

Turner started the Top Dog race in the seventh position and would take the lead from pole sitter Michael Owens on lap four. Owens would battle back and reclaim the lead, but Turner proved too much, as he would overtake the lead again on lap 14, and never give it back, winning the 50-lap race over Adam Florian, with Owens, Jeff Boyer and Pete Hunt rounding out the top-five.

Kennon, who entered the night with a twelve point lead, started the A Main on the outside of row one, and led the first five laps, until he spun by himself, giving up the lead to Del Stewart. Kennon’s night would come to end 10 laps later due to mechanical failure. Turner, who had won four consecutive races entering the evening, took his first lead of the night on lap fourteen, a lead he would hold until lap thirty-four. Scott Prillaman, driving the #33 in relief of injured Duke Furr, would battle Turner for the lead and the win over the final 17 laps. Prillaman would overtake Turner with three laps to go and hold on for the victory, snapping Turner’s race win streak at four.

In the B Main, Adam Florian led all 50 laps and survived three cautions to take the victory over Owens, Zach Moran, Hunt and Edgar Dellinger, who rounded out the top five.

David Morrison, who won his first race a few weeks ago, repeated that performance with his second victory of the season in the C Main. Morrison took the lead from pole-sitter Seth Brown on lap fifteen and never looked back, leading the rest of the way for his second victory in three races. Jeremy Wages took second, followed by Brown, Kevin Gibson and Steve Newsome rounding out the top-five.

Florian wins Army/Navy showdown, takes 2nd straight Top Dog Win

Hampton, Va -- ARENA RACING USA - Hampton Roads Series at the Hampton (Va.) Coliseum 2007-08 Event #9 - Military Appreciation Night Friday, January 25, 2008

Driving the U.S. Army-sponsored entry, Adam Florian took the lead on lap 27 and sped on to his second straight victory in the 50-lap Top Dog race, the featured event of Friday evening's Military Appreciation Night program for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum. Overall, it was the third Top Dog win of the season for the Suffolk, Va., youngster.

Jordan Wood started from the pole position, sharing the front row with Robbie Davis. On the opening lap, Davis gained a slight edge and held a half-length advantage as the leaders returned to the flagstand. Wood battled back on the second lap and the two were neck-and-neck at start/finish.

The first caution flag flew on lap 3 when Davis spun off the second corner, collecting Matt Midgett. Gathering for a restart, Wood was the leader, followed by Chrissy Wallace, visiting from Arena Racing USA's Charlotte series.

Returning to green, Wallace wasted no time in going after Wood for the lead. She ducked to his inside along the backstretch, drew even in Turns 3 and 4, nosed ahead to lead lap 4, then cleared Wood's machine on lap 5. As Wallace pulled ahead, Larry Murphy rushed to fill the opening underneath Wood and picked up second place.

At lap 9, Wallace enjoyed a three-length lead over Murphy. Meanwhile, Wood got caught in a wild scramble in Turn 4 and ended up exiting the event on lap 11. The second caution flag waved a lap later.

As the race resumed, Wallace manufactured a one-length lead, while Murphy and Florian battled for second. Florian grabbed the spot on lap 14, leaving the door open for teammate Scott Prillaman, who pulled alongside Murphy, the defending series champ. Murphy cleared Prillaman on lap 17, but surrendered the spot a lap later.

Nearing the halfway point, Wallace was up by two car-lengths over Florian. More than half a straightaway separated the lead duo from third-place Prillaman.

Caution #3 flew on lap 25 for debris in Turn 2, bunching the field for the impending restart.

Back under way, Florian latched onto Wallace's rear bumper as the two bolted from the pack. On lap 26, Florian slipped to the inside of Wallace on the backstretch and motored out front on lap 27. Prillaman, piloting the U.S. Navy car, tagged along and took over second. Murphy tried to follow the cue of Florian and Prillaman, but was ultimately rebuffed.

The fourth caution flag appeared on lap 34 when Brittany Bangas overturned in Turn 2. During the caution period, Wallace was beset by mechanical problems and forced to the infield, giving up third place.

One more lap was on the board when the fifth yellow flag flew for debris, the roof flap from Davis' car, in Turn 4. Establishing the running order, Florian led, while Prillaman, Murphy, Midgett and Charlie Green rounded out the top five.

The final caution flag waved on lap 40 when Bangas and Davis tangled in Turn 2.

Under green for the last time, Florian eked out a one-length edge over Prillaman, while Green looked to the inside of Midgett in a bid for fourth.

Over the closing circuits, Prillaman was able to close right up on Florian's bumper, but he couldn't muster the winning pass as Florian held on to win the Army/Navy duel by a car-length. Murphy was third, while Midgett trimmed Green by half a length for fourth.

Tony Perez was sixth to the line, followed by Steve Greene, Davis and Spencer Saunders, the final driver to complete the entire distance. Bangas was credited with 10th place, 12 laps back.

***

Series leader Scott Prillaman started on the pole and showed the way to his third feature win in the A Main, which was halted after 47 laps.

The event got off to a rocky start as Prillaman's teammate and front-row partner, Adam Florian, got turned around in Turn 4 on the opening lap, prompting a complete restart.

Under green for a second time, Prillaman leaped out front. Matt Midgett took over second place, followed by Chris Roberts. By lap 17, Prillaman's lead had swelled to a full straightaway. That advantage went away on the next lap, though, when the second yellow flag waved for Kerry Gilbert's brush with the Turn 2 wall.

Caution #3 flew on lap 19 as Florian and Cody Carlton tangled in Turn 2, while the fourth yellow flag appeared just after the ensuing restart when Gilbert overturned in Turn 2. Setting the lineup, Prillaman was the leader, followed by Midgett, Roberts, Derek Miller and Larry Murphy.

Back under green, Prillaman scooted away from the pack. Midgett, meanwhile, slapped the wall off Turn 2 on lap 25 and gave up the second position to Roberts. The fifth yellow flag flew on lap 26 for debris on the track.

On the restart, Prillaman quickly established a three-length edge over Roberts. By lap 35, the advantage had grown to better than half a straightaway. Deeper in the field, Larry Murphy and Carlton went door-to-door for fourth, just behind third-place Midgett.

On lap 44, Midgett's car skated loose in Turn 4, opening the bottom of the track for Carlton, who slipped by Murphy and pulled alongside Midgett. Before that scuffle could develop, however, the sixth caution flag waved for Travis Wall's overturned car in Turn 2. As the field slowed, Midgett and Murphy slammed together at the flagstand.

Lining up for what would turn out to be the final restart, Prillaman maintained the lead, followed by Roberts, Midgett (who got to keep his position since his encounter with Murphy occurred after the yellow flag was already out), Carlton and Murphy. Florian rode sixth.

Resuming, Midgett took a look to the high side of Roberts in a bid to regain second. He accomplished that mission on lap 47.

On the next lap, Roberts took a hard ride into the Turn 2 wall, pinwheeling to a stop as officials rushed to his aid. With the Top Dog qualifiers already set, the decision was made to halt the event at that point.

In the official rundown, Prillaman was the winner, followed by Midgett. With scoring reverting to lap 47, Roberts was third, followed by Murphy and Florian. Carlton was penalized to sixth for rough driving and denied a spot in the Top Dog race. The top five moved on to the evening's final event.

***

Charlie Green assumed the top spot on lap 37 and stormed to his third victory of the season in the 50-lap B Main.

Steve Greene was the pole-sitter for the race, but surrendered the lead to outside pole starter Greg Pass as the event got under way. On lap 4, Michael Weddell slipped underneath Greene in Turn 4. Weddell completed the pass on lap 5 and brought Spencer Saunders along with him, kicking Greene back to fourth place.

While his potential pursuers scrambled among themselves, Pass widened his lead to half a straightaway. Once the running order settled down a bit, though, Weddell began to close the gap. By the halfway mark, Weddell had pulled to within a couple car-lengths.

Pass was clinging to his narrow margin when the first caution flag appeared on lap 34 for Travis Wall's overturned car in Turn 2. Setting the field for the restart, Pass and Weddell went 1-2, followed by Saunders, Green and Greene.

As the race resumed, Pass and Weddell renewed their battle for the lead. The joust got a bit overheated on lap 37, though, as Pass went spinning in the middle of the backstretch. As the second caution flag flew, both Pass and Weddell were relegated to the back of the pack and Green moved out front.

Back under way, Green fashioned a one-length lead over Saunders and Greene, who were tussling for second. On lap 40, Saunders and Greene made contact in Turn 4, allowing Green to pad his advantage to a full straightaway.

By the end, Green had increased his winning margin to better than a straightaway. Saunders was second, followed by Greene. The top three drivers all advanced to the Top Dog feature. Curtis Hughes and Craig Carlton were fourth and fifth, in that order.

***

Brittany Bangas took the lead on lap 10 of the 50-lap C Main and held on for her first feature victory of the season.

Lee Banks started on the pole and set the pace for the first nine circuits, under pressure from Bangas. On lap 9, Bangas worked a fender to the inside of Banks in Turn 4 and pulled ahead on the following circuit.

The event was a caution-filled affair with the yellow flag flying eight times. While the multiple interruptions delayed Bangas' trip to Victory Lane, they actually worked to her advantage as officials began counting the caution laps, effectively shortening the race as Bangas fought to hold off Jordan Wood for the top spot.

Bangas endured an anxious moment on lap 43 when she and Wood made contact in Turn 4. Bangas' car was turned sideways in the corner, but she quickly righted the ship and continued, hanging onto the lead.

Wood gathered for one last charge and launched the effort on lap 46, poking a fender alongside Bangas. After dueling for a couple laps, Bangas regained the clear-cut edge on lap 48 to an enthusiastic reception from the crowd.

At the checkers, Bangas was the winner by a car-length over Wood. Tony Perez was third and joined the top two in moving on to the evening's Top Dog finale. Megan Dayton was fourth to the line, while Charlotte series regular David Morrison came home fifth.

***

Chrissy Wallace, daughter of longtime NASCAR standout Mike Wallace, moved out front at the halfway mark and rolled to the win in the 50-lap D Main.

Steve Hanna drew the pole for the start of the race, but gave way to his front-row colleague, Aaron Leach, on the opening circuit. Sparky West, who started fourth, followed Leach around Hanna to pick up second place and left Hanna in a side-by-side battle with Jacques Ward.

The first caution flag appeared on lap 5 when Ward had problems in Turn 2.

Returning to green, Mark Wertz slipped by on the outside of Hanna to gain the third spot. He soon joined Leach and West in a three-car breakaway, a full straightaway ahead of Wallace, who had moved up to fourth.

The second yellow flag flew on lap 13 for debris.

As the race resumed, Leach, West, Wertz and Wallace bolted in nose-to-tail formation. Robbie Davis rode fifth, a car-length behind the lead group.

On lap 15, Wallace went after Wertz for the third position. She cleared him in Turn 2 on the 16th circuit and brought Davis along with her, dropping Wertz to fifth. Wallace continued her march toward the front on lap 19, overtaking West for second.

The leaders ran up on slower traffic on lap 21. Leach and Wallace broke into the clear on lap 24. A lap later, with room to operate, Wallace took aim at Leach for the top spot. She ducked low off the second corner and gained the upper hand off Turn 4. Within a handful of laps, Wallace owned a half-straightaway advantage.

While Wallace pulled away, Davis closed on Leach for second. After repeated attempts, Davis swiped the spot, motoring ahead of Leach on lap 41. Caution #3 waved on the following circuit when Wertz spun in Turn 4.

Lining up for the ensuing restart, Cameron Williams' lapped machine separated Wallace from second-place Davis.

Back under green, Leach went to the high side of Davis and Williams in a bid to regain the runner-up position. Davis, meanwhile, ducked to the inside of Williams, resulting in a momentary logjam when they reached Turn 1. Officials were unsatisfied with the restart and brought the yellow flag back out.

Four more laps were in the books when the fifth, and final, caution flag appeared as Wertz and West locked horns off the fourth corner and careened into the inside barricade. Both drivers called it an evening following the incident.

Under green for the last time, Wallace forged a two-length edge over Davis. She increased her advantage to nearly half a straightaway on lap 44 when Davis two-wheeled it in Turn 4.

At the checkers, Wallace was the winner by half a straightaway. Davis was second and nabbed the final Top Dog transfer spot. Leach, Hanna and Williams completed the top five.

***

Ken Simmons, Travis Fortune, Larry Murphy and Cody Carlton picked up wins in the four 25-lap qualifying heat races. Simmons, Fortune and Carlton started their events from the pole position, while Murphy started shotgun on the nine-car grid in Heat 3.

***

JAN. 25 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Adam Florian; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Larry Murphy; 4. Matt Midgett; 5. Charlie Green; 6. Tony Perez; 7. Steve Greene; 8. Robbie Davis; 9. Spencer Saunders; 10. Brittany Bangas; 11. Chrissy Wallace; 12. Jordan Wood; 13. Chris Roberts. Pole: Jordan Wood.

A MAIN (47 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Matt Midgett; 3. Chris Roberts; 4. Larry Murphy; 5. Adam Florian; 6. Cody Carlton; 7. Ken Simmons; 8. Travis Fortune; 9. Derek Miller; 10. Kerry Gilbert. Pole: Scott Prillaman.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Charlie Green; 2. Spencer Saunders; 3. Steve Greene; 4. Curtis Hughes; 5. Craig Carlton; 6. Michael Weddell; 7. Michelle Pearl; 8. Greg Pass; 9. Travis Wall; 10. R.J. Davis. Pole: Steve Greene.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Brittany Bangas; 2. Jordan Wood; 3. Tony Perez; 4. Megan Dayton; 5. David Morrison; 6. Lee Banks; 7. Craig Rayfield; 8. Chris Crecelius; 9. Doug Lightner. Pole: Lee Banks.

D MAIN (50 laps): 1. Chrissy Wallace; 2. Robbie Davis; 3. Aaron Leach; 4. Steve Hanna; 5. Cameron Williams; 6. Sparky West; 7. Mark Wertz; 8. Jacques Ward; 9. Samantha Lightner. Pole: Steve Hanna.

HEAT 1 (25 laps): 1. Ken Simmons; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Adam Florian; 4. Michael Weddell; 5. Curtis Hughes; 6. Chris Crecelius; 7. Brittany Bangas; 8. Jordan Wood; 9. Robbie Davis; 10. Cameron Williams. Pole: Ken Simmons.

HEAT 2 (25 laps): 1. Travis Fortune; 2. Kerry Gilbert; 3. Chris Roberts; 4. Craig Carlton; 5. Travis Wall; 6. David Morrison; 7. Tony Perez; 8. Steve Hanna; 9. Samantha Lightner; 10. Chrissy Wallace. Pole: Travis Fortune.

HEAT 3 (25 laps): 1. Larry Murphy; 2. Matt Midgett; 3. Charlie Green; 4. Greg Pass; 5. Michelle Pearl; 6. Megan Dayton; 7. Lee Banks; 8. Sparky West; 9. Jacques Ward. Pole: Lee Banks.

HEAT 4 (25 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. Derek Miller; 3. Steve Greene; 4. Spencer Saunders; 5. R.J. Davis; 6. Craig Rayfield; 7. Doug Lightner; 8. Aaron Leach; 9. Mark Wertz. Pole: Cody Carlton.

***

NEXT EVENT: Ladies Night. Saturday, February 9 @ Hampton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:00 PM; Racing at 7:00 PM. Half-price tickets for all ladies.

Florian schools Top Dog field on PTA Night

Jan 18th, 2008

Adam Florian captured his second win of the season in the 50-lap Top Dog feature, the main event of Friday evening's PTA Night program presented by the Daily Press for Arena Racing USA's Hampton Roads series at the Hampton Coliseum.

Robbie Davis started from the pole, but two-wheeled it as the field roared through Turns 1 and 2 for the first time, allowing Florian to pull ahead. Davis was saved, though, when the caution flag waved before lap 1 was in the books and a complete restart was ordered.

On the second attempt at a start, Florian again gained a slim edge, but Davis battled back and was out front when caution #2 flew on lap 2 for a multi-car pileup on the backstretch.

The outbreak of "yellow fever" continued on lap 4 when Chris Roberts went around in Turn 2. Setting the running order, Davis was positioned in the lead, followed by Florian, Charlie Green, Brittany Bangas and Travis Fortune.

Back under green, R.J. Davis jumped to the outside, bypassed Fortune and pulled alongside Bangas, eventually taking over fourth place. Scott Prillaman, following Davis' cue, moved into fifth.

The fourth caution flag appeared on lap 11 when Jordan Wood spun off turn 4.

Back under way, R.J. Davis again worked to the outside of the track, quickly overhauling Green for third and drawing even with second-place Florian. That was as far as Davis' high-side strategy would take him, though. Florian cleared R.J. Davis on lap 14, leaving him to battle with Green for third. Davis and Green combined to bring out the fifth caution flag on lap 16 when they tangled off Turn 2 and plowed into the inside barricade.

With Green and R.J. Davis headed to the rear of the field, Prillaman assumed third place for the restart, just behind Robbie Davis and Florian. Mark Wertz and Bangas were fourth and fifth.

As the race resumed, Robbie Davis led the front four in a breakaway as Bangas fell two lengths back.

In lap 23, Florian went after Robbie Davis for the lead. He ducked low through Turns 1 and 2 and pulled ahead off the fourth corner. Prillaman, Florian's teammate, followed in the new leader's tire tracks and gained second place.

The sixth caution flag flew on lap 25 when Wertz tried to overtake Robbie Davis for third and pinched him into the Turn 4 wall. Planted against the outside wall, Davis took multiple shots as the rest of the field tried to squeeze past him.

The last of the race's seven caution flags came out on the ensuing restart when R.J. Davis went around in Turn 2. Setting the lineup, Florian and Prillaman went 1-2, followed by Bangas, Spencer Saunders and Travis Fortune.

Under green for the last time, Florian and Prillaman motored away from the field, while Saunders ducked to the inside of Bangas in a bid for third. Saunders grabbed the spot on lap 38. By that time, however, the lead duo was long gone.

Nearing the finish, Florian managed to put a little breathing room between himself and Prillaman. At the finish, his margin of victory was two car-lengths. Saunders was a distant third, coming home almost half a lap behind Florian and Prillaman. Bangas was fourth and Green rounded out the top five. Fortune and Wertz, the only other drivers on the track at the end, were sixth and seventh, in that order.

R.J. Davis was eighth in the final rundown, followed by Chris Roberts and Chris Crecelius. The caution-filled event ended with half of the 14-car starting field on the sidelines.

***

Starting from the outside of Row 1, Jordan Wood grabbed the lead on the opening circuit and wired the field for his second victory of the season in the 50-lap A Main.

Greg Pass was the scheduled pole-sitter for the event, but was unable to make the start. Spencer Saunders took his place on the inside of the front row, but couldn't hold off Wood when the green flag dropped.

The first caution flag waved on lap 2 when Cody Carlton spun on the frontstretch. Setting the running order for the restart, Wood was the leader, followed by Saunders, Adam Florian, Craig Carlton and Derek Miller. Meanwhile, defending series champ Larry Murphy and five-time Top Dog winner Scott Prillaman were mired in 10th and 11th, respectively.

Back under green, Wood led Saunders and Florian in a three-car breakaway at the head of the field. Within a few laps, they had opened a half-straightaway edge over fourth-place Craig Carlton.

The second caution flag flew on lap 17 for debris on the back straightaway.

As the race resumed, Wood continued to own a slim margin, while Florian began to pressure Saunders for the runner-up spot.

The third yellow flag appeared on lap 25 when Mark Wertz spun off Turn 2 and collected Murphy. Wood, Saunders, Florian, Craig Carlton and Miller made up the top five for the ensuing restart.

Back under green, R.J. Davis made his way into the top five, using the high side to sweep past Miller. Closer to the front, Saunders and Florian resumed their battle with Florian nabbing second place on lap 27. The shuffle allowed Wood to pull away by half a straightaway, but Florian quickly narrowed that gap.

Caution #4 appeared on lap 37 when Kerry Gilbert spun off Turn 4, collecting Ken Simmons. The incident allowed Prillaman to slip into sixth place -- the final Top Dog transfer spot.

On the ensuing restart, Murphy pounded the outside wall off Turn 4, ending his night and bringing a halt to his streak of qualifying for the Top Dog race, which reached back some 23 races.

As the race resumed, Wood and Florian went to battle for the lead. Behind them, Davis made the upper groove work one more time, grabbing fourth place from Craig Carlton. Prillaman tagged along with Davis and took over fifth.

The last of the race's six yellow flags flew on lap 47 when Craig Carlton and Simmons overturned off Turn 4. Officials arrived on the scene and righted the cars. An angry Carlton bolted from the accident site, nearly striking an official, and was promptly parked for the night for reckless driving.

On the final restart, Wood and Florian broke away from the pack, while the high-flying Davis went to the outside again in a bid to take third from Saunders.

At the finish, Wood was the winner by half a car-length, holding off Florian off the last corner. Davis was third, followed by Saunders and Prillaman. Wertz was sixth and joined the top five in moving on to the Top Dog feature.

***

Travis Fortune took the lead on lap 37 and rolled to his third feature win in the 50-lap B Main.

Sparky West was the pole-sitter and set the pace until lap 30 when he was overtaken by Aaron Leach and Charlie Green, falling to third.

The complexion of the race took a dramatic turn on lap 36 when Leach and Green locked horns in Turn 2 and Leach spun off the corner. With the yellow flag flying, officials sent both Leach and Green to the rear of the field, returning West to the lead.

Back under green, West led one more circuit before surrendering the top spot to Fortune. A lap later, Curtis Hughes slipped past West to take over the second position.

The fourth caution flag appeared on lap 40 as Green spun in Turns 1 and 2 in the midst of a wild scramble at the back of the pack.

Returning to green, Fortune forged a one-length margin over Hughes. A brief logjam in Turn 2 cost West a spot as Leach scooted past to claim third place. A lap later, Tony Perez bypassed West for fourth, bringing Green along with him and kicking West of the top five.

The final caution flag appeared on lap 49 when West spun in Turn 4 after contact with Steve Greene. The incident set up a two-lap dash to the checkers.

On the last restart, Fortune managed to hold Hughes at bay, winning by a car-length. Hughes was second, followed by Leach. Green muscled by Perez on the final lap to take fourth place and advance to the Top Dog feature. Perez was fifth in the official rundown.

***

Robbie Davis moved out front on the second circuit and showed the way to his second win of the season in the 50-lap C Main.

Jacques Ward drew the pole for the start of the event and paced the opening lap before giving way to Davis on lap 2. The first caution flag flew on the next circuit when Lee Banks and Samantha Lightner locked horns off Turn 2.

The second yellow flag appeared on lap 5 when Chris Roberts spun in Turn 1 while challenging Cameron Williams for the third spot.

Back under green, Davis pulled away as Chris Crecelius swiped third from Williams, then went after Ward for second. Crecelius took over the runner-up position on lap 10. The exchange allowed Davis to extend his advantage to a full straightaway.

The third caution flag fluttered on lap 15 when Doug Lightner overturned in Turn 2. Six more laps were in the books when the fourth, and final, yellow flag waved as Banks spun in Turn 2.

Setting the lineup for what would turn out to be the last restart, Davis held the top spot, followed by Crecelius, Williams, Brittany Bangas and Roberts.

Under green for the final time, Davis and Crecelius broke from the pack, while Bangas pressured Williams for third. Bangas took third from Williams on lap 28 and Roberts tagged along on her rear bumper, dropping Williams to fifth.

On lap 39, Roberts poked a fender alongside Bangas in a bid for third place. The two went side-by-side until lap 42 when Roberts gained the clear-cut edge.

At the finish, Davis was the winner by a straightaway over Crecelius. Roberts was third and Bangas came home fourth. Those four drivers all advanced to the evening's Top Dog finale. Williams rounded out the top five.

***

Spencer Saunders, Scott Prillaman and Cody Carlton were the winners of the three 25-lap qualifying heat races.

***

JAN. 18 RACE RESULTS from Hampton (Va.) Coliseum:

TOP DOG (50 laps): 1. Adam Florian; 2. Scott Prillaman; 3. Spencer Saunders; 4. Brittany Bangas; 5. Charlie Green; 6. Travis Fortune; 7. Mark Wertz; 8. R.J. Davis; 9. Chris Roberts; 10. Chris Crecelius; 11. Robbie Davis; 12. Jordan Wood; 13. Curtis Hughes; 14. Aaron Leach. Pole: Robbie Davis.

A MAIN (50 laps): 1. Jordan Wood; 2. Adam Florian; 3. R.J. Davis; 4. Spencer Saunders; 5. Scott Prillaman; 6. Mark Wertz; 7. Kerry Gilbert; 8. Derek Miller; 9. Craig Carlton; 10. Ken Simmons; 11. Larry Murphy; 12. Cody Carlton; 13. Greg Pass. Pole: Spencer Saunders.

B MAIN (50 laps): 1. Travis Fortune; 2. Curtis Hughes; 3. Aaron Leach; 4. Charlie Green; 5. Tony Perez; 6. Michael Weddell; 7. Michelle Pearl; 8. Sparky West; 9. Steve Greene; 10. Steve Hanna; 11. Travis Wall; 12. Megan Dayton; 13. Matt Midgett. Pole: Sparky West.

C MAIN (50 laps): 1. Robbie Davis; 2. Chris Crecelius; 3. Chris Roberts; 4. Brittany Bangas; 5. Cameron Williams; 6. Craig Rayfield; 7. Kyle Goolsby; 8. Doug Lightner; 9. Jacques Ward; 10. Lee Banks; 11. Joshua Johnson; 12. Samantha Lightner. Pole: Jacques Ward.

HEAT 1 (25 laps): 1. Spencer Saunders; 2. Jordan Wood; 3. Derek Miller; 4. Larry Murphy; 5. Ken Simmons; 6. Steve Greene; 7. Michael Weddell; 8. Sparky West; 9. Tony Perez; 10. Brittany Bangas; 11. Samantha Lightner; 12. Robbie Davis; 13. Craig Rayfield. Pole: Steve Greene.

HEAT 2 (25 laps): 1. Scott Prillaman; 2. Adam Florian; 3. Craig Carlton; 4. Greg Pass; 5. Curtis Hughes; 6. Michelle Pearl; 7. Aaron Leach; 8. Steve Hanna; 9. Travis Fortune; 10. Cameron Williams; 11. Jacques Ward; 12. Doug Lightner; 13. Chris Crecelius. Pole: Steve Hanna.

HEAT 3 (25 laps): 1. Cody Carlton; 2. Kerry Gilbert; 3. R.J. Davis; 4. Mark Wertz; 5. Matt Midgett; 6. Charlie Green; 7. Travis Wall; 8. Megan Dayton; 9. Joshua Johnson; 10. Chris Roberts; 11. Kyle Goolsby; 12. Lee Banks. Pole: R.J. Davis.

***

NEXT EVENT: Military Appreciation Night. Friday, January 25 @ Hampton Coliseum. Doors open at 6:30 PM; Racing at 7:30 PM. Half-price tickets for all military members.

TURNER REPEATS HIS DOUBLE WIN, 35 POINT NIGHT PERFORMANCE

Kennon Takes Second Twice, But Takes Over Points Lead

Charlotte, NC – With the season crossing the mid-point, Josh Turner once again proved to be too much for the field as he repeated as the winner of the A Main and took top honors in the Top Dog race, giving him a perfect 35 point night for the second race in a row. Turner is now in second place in the points standings, twelve points behind leader Nate Kennon.

Not to be outdone, Kennon himself had a strong outing, finishing second to Turner in both the A Main and the Top Dog race.

Turner and Kennon would race together most of the night. Kennon started the A Main from the pole and led the first 21 laps, with Turner in pursuit. While Kennon dealt with lapped traffic, Turner was able to take the lead on lap 21 and never relinquish it back. With only a few laps remaining, lapped traffic again became an issue for the leaders, with Kennon having the advantage, but unable to overtake Turner for the win. The two would run 1-2 for 49 of the 50 laps.

The Top Dog points bonus race played out in much of the same fashion, but Micheal Owens would do most of the leading, with both Turner and Kennon chasing Owens down. Owens, who sits fifth in the points standings took the lead on lap one from the outside pole and held off Turner for the first 31 laps. Owens led the field through three cautions, and the subsequent restarts fending off a furious charge from Turner who was being chased down by Kennon, who was running third by lap twenty, after starting seventh.

A nudge from Turner into Owens left rear on lap 31, put the series top two in points, back into a battle for the win. Turner would be able to hold off Kennon for his series leading sixth win of the season.

In earlier action, Ed Peters, won the B Main, subbing for an injured Duke Furr. In his first race ever in an Arena Race car, peters would dominate the field and lead every lap, including a green-white-checker finish at the end.

Chris Crecelius, a regular on the Arena Racing Norfolk circuit, visited Charlotte and won the C Main. Zach Moran finished second.

Morrison Finds Victory Lane for the First Time
Brian Wins for the Third Time this Season
Turner Completes the Double Win Night 

December 29th – News, Notes and Race Recap

C Main
            Trouble came early in the C Main race, when Trevor Burgess, driver of the #6, collected last week’s C Main winner Del Stewart (#20, Tony Stewart on Sirius) and the #4 Davis Steel race car driven by Brooks Davis on lap one.  Davis would be able to continue, eventually finishing third and making the Top Dog Race, but both the #6 and #20 cars had their nights ended early. 

The second caution would come out only seven laps later, when Skipper Beck in the #0 Bobcats Basketball race car and the #8 driven by Brian Hartis got together, with the result being quick nights for both teams, as neither could continue.  The trouble continued, on lap 20 when Pete Hunt suffered a mechanical failure on his #21 Speed TV car.  With 30 laps remaining and only three cars still running, David Morrison piloted his #50 High Voltage Racing machine over the final 30, caution free laps to victory lane for his first career victory.  Adam Mikels (#22, Beck Imports) and Davis finished 2nd and 3rd respectively and were the only other cars running at the end of the race. 

B Main
            Zack Moran (#9, Dream Builders Custom Homes) took the early lead in the B Main, and held onto the top spot for the opening twenty laps, before spinning out and re-starting at the back of the field.  Moran faced pressure from the #99 Dellinger Auto Wrecker of Brian Moore for most the initial twenty laps.

            The race ran green, with Moore in the lead, until lap 44, when the caution flew for the third time.  With Moore out to a comfortable lead, the #3 American Security Mortgage of Michael Owens, and the Chrissy Wallace driven #18 Geico car, waged a side-by-side battle for the better part of 15 laps, with Owens holding Wallace off for second place with 6 laps to go.  Wallace was able to overtake Owens on the restart, and was able to challenge Moore for the win, racing him tight on his bumper, but unable to make the pass for the lead, and finishing second.  Rookie Drew Louthan (#2 Red Clay Industries) took home third place honors, with Kevin Gibson (#44 Beck Imports) and Jeff Boyer (#1 Monterrey Restaurant) rounding out the top-five. 

A Main

            The caution flag flew early in the A Main race, much like the C Main earlier in the evening.  Kyle Kouchinsky spun his #49 Speed Reed car, setting up a battle for the lead between Nick Hoffman in the #15 Checkers Hockey car, and Josh Turner’s #36 Pretzel Factory machine.  Turner would stay glued to the back bumper of Hoffman for nearly twenty laps, before making the pass on lap 24, just before the race’s second caution.  Involved were Kouchinsky, Jerry Lambert (#43 Stock Car Steel) and Graham Beck in the #5 Beck Imports car. 

            The front of the field at the restart looked like a who’s who among Arena Racing Charlotte drivers, with Turner and Hoffman starting 1-2, followed by points leader Nate Kennon in the #30 Brickhouse Tavern car and Randy Burnett’s #14 MBI Consultants.  Turner checked out on the restart, leaving Hoffman and Kennon to battle for second, which they did until Kennon spun out in pursuit of Hoffman on lap 34 bringing out the race’s fourth caution. 

Turner would again dominate the field after the re-start, with the best action taking place between the #49 of Kouchinsky, Kennon and Duke Furr in the #33, all racing for a spot in the Top Dog race.  Kennon would bring out the final caution on lap 45, which ultimately ended his race, keeping him out of the Top Dog in a seventh place finish.  No one would be able to challenge Turner for the win, with Hoffman, Burnett, Lambert and Kouchinsky rounding out the top five.   

Top Dog

Turner would start the night’s final, Top Dog points bonus race in the seventh position.  By lap 11, he was on the bumper of Lambert, who had led the opening 11 laps.  Turner would take the lead on lap 12, and never relinquish it, surviving three cautions the rest of the way to the victory and 35 point night.  Randy Burnett followed in second, with Duke Furr coming in third, equaling his best top dog finish of the season.  David Morrison followed up his C Main victory, with a strong fourth place finish.  Kevin Gibson and Brian Moore finished fifth and sixth, as the final cars on the lead lap.  

    
Notes: 

Perfect Point Nights – With a victory in the A Main and Top Dog races, Josh Turner collected 35 points for the night, the most a driver can achieve in one evening.  Turner is the first to reach this accomplishment this season, and the fourth person to do so in Charlotte.  Eric Harrington was the first